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On January 21, 2025, in a bold move that has set global health diplomacy into a tailspin, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would formally leave the World Health Organization (WHO). Speaking shortly after signing an executive order initiating the withdrawal, Trump lambasted the WHO for what he described as mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. He claimed that the WHO had been unduly influenced by political forces from member states, notably China, and that it had imposed “unfairly onerous payments” on the U.S. compared to other large contributors.
Accusations Against the WHO’s Handling of COVID-19
Trump’s decision to leave the WHO is partly rooted in his administration’s criticism of the organization’s early response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He accused the WHO of being complicit in China’s efforts to mislead the world about the origins of the virus. According to Trump, the WHO was too slow to act and too lenient in its approach to China, which he believes allowed the virus to spread globally with devastating consequences.
The U.S. president has long been critical of the WHO, having previously attempted to withdraw from the organization during his first term in 2020. At that time, he accused the WHO of being too close to Beijing and of mishandling critical information related to the pandemic’s early stages. Despite initiating the withdrawal process, Trump’s efforts were halted after Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Biden rejoined the WHO on his first day in office, signaling a major shift in U.S. foreign health policy.
This time, however, the Trump administration appears determined to follow through with its departure, setting a 12-month notice period for withdrawal. Trump reiterated his belief that the U.S. had been “ripped off” by the WHO, highlighting the fact that the U.S. contributes about 18% of the WHO’s budget, a disproportionate share compared to other nations. “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump stated during the signing of the executive order.
Impact on Global Health Programs
The U.S. is by far the largest financial contributor to the WHO, and its withdrawal will likely have significant consequences for the organization’s operations and global health initiatives. The WHO’s most recent two-year budget for 2024-2025 stands at $6.8 billion, and the loss of U.S. funding could jeopardize a wide array of health programs, including those aimed at combating infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and malaria.
Several experts have raised alarms about the potential fallout from the U.S. departure. For example, programs targeting tuberculosis, the world’s leading infectious disease killer, are expected to be at risk. The withdrawal could also hinder global efforts to address emerging health emergencies, such as the next potential pandemic, as well as ongoing campaigns for maternal and child health.
The U.S. Withdrawal Process and Future Negotiations
The executive order signed by Trump sets in motion a complex 12-month process for the U.S. to officially withdraw from the WHO. During this period, the U.S. will cease all financial contributions to the organization and begin the process of recalling U.S. government personnel working with the WHO. Trump also indicated that negotiations on the WHO’s pandemic treaty would be halted while the withdrawal was in progress.
The U.S. government is also tasked with reviewing and potentially rescinding its 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy. In its place, the administration will explore alternative global health partnerships to replace the WHO’s role in tackling global health crises. This signals a fundamental shift in how the U.S. will approach international health cooperation in the future.
Responses from the WHO and Global Community
The WHO, for its part, expressed regret over the U.S. decision to leave. A spokesperson for the organization, Tarik Jasarević, stated that the WHO hoped the United States would reconsider its decision and encouraged constructive dialogue for the benefit of people not only in the U.S. but around the world. “We really hope that there will be constructive dialogue for the benefit of everyone,” he said.
The WHO’s second-largest financial contributor, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which primarily funds polio eradication efforts, also expressed disappointment. Mark Suzman, the foundation’s CEO, took to social media to advocate for strengthening, not weakening, the WHO’s role in global health. The next-largest state donor is Germany, contributing around 3% of the WHO’s funding. German officials have expressed concern over the U.S. withdrawal and have signaled their intention to engage in diplomatic efforts to persuade the Trump administration to reconsider.
Meanwhile, China, a key member of the WHO, expressed its commitment to supporting the organization’s global health efforts. Chinese officials reiterated that the WHO’s role in global health governance should be strengthened rather than weakened, with the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, emphasizing China’s continued support for the WHO’s work in global health cooperation.
The Road Ahead: What Does the U.S. Withdrawal Mean?
As the U.S. formally begins the process of withdrawing from the WHO, the global community will be watching closely to see how this decision reshapes international health policy. With the world still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other ongoing health threats, the U.S. departure from the WHO marks a significant shift in how global health crises may be managed in the future.
In the coming months, the Trump administration will face growing pressure from international health organizations, advocacy groups, and other governments to reconsider its stance. However, it remains to be seen whether this withdrawal is irreversible or whether diplomatic efforts will succeed in bringing the U.S. back to the global health table.
