The United States officially withdrew from the World Health Organization on Thursday, marking a significant break between the Trump administration and the global health agency. This decision had been in the works since Trump’s first term, with the official withdrawal following a joint congressional resolution passed in 1948.
The executive order signed by Trump cited the WHO’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and other global health crises as reasons for leaving the organization. The U.S. had the highest assessed contributions to the WHO based on its GDP. Despite the withdrawal, the WHO has not formally acknowledged the departure of the U.S., leaving the country’s status in the organization up to member states to determine.
Experts warn that the withdrawal will have negative consequences for both the world and the U.S., limiting access to infectious disease intelligence and influence over outbreak responses. The WHO has already started cutting staff positions due to the loss of U.S. funding. This move weakens global health security and leaves the U.S. vulnerable to future health emergencies.
The withdrawal also comes at a critical time as the WHO prepares for the campaign to replace the current director-general. The U.S. will not have a vote in this process, limiting its influence on global health security. Experts criticize the decision to withdraw, stating that it benefits other countries like China and Russia who may seek a more active role in the multilateral system.
Efforts are being made to maintain communication between the WHO and the U.S., but significant interactions between the two entities are unlikely in the foreseeable future. While there is a possibility for the U.S. to rejoin the WHO in the future, the global health landscape may look very different by that time.
In conclusion, the withdrawal of the U.S. from the WHO has far-reaching implications for global health security and the country’s ability to respond to future health crises. The decision to leave the organization has been met with criticism from experts who believe it weakens both the U.S. and the global health system.
