Former US President Donald Trump signed an order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the organization’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.
This decision initiates a 12-month process for the US to formally exit the UN health body, during which all financial contributions to the WHO will be halted. The US, as the largest financial contributor to the organization, provides approximately 18% of its total funding.
This move echoes actions from Trump’s first term when he began the process of withdrawing from the WHO. However, the decision was reversed by President Joe Biden on his first day in office, signaling a renewed commitment to global health collaboration.
Trump’s latest order reignites debates over the US’s role in international health initiatives and its implications for global pandemic preparedness and response.
