Trump Orders US Withdrawal From World Health Organisation

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to initiate the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“Oooh, that’s a big one,” Trump remarked as he signed the order upon returning to the White House. It was one of several executive actions he approved on his first day back in office.

This marks the second time Trump has ordered the US to leave the Geneva-based agency. During his first term, he criticised the WHO’s handling of Covid-19 and began a withdrawal process, which was later reversed by President Joe Biden.

Carrying out this action on day one increases the likelihood of the US formally exiting the global health body.

“They wanted us back so badly so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said, suggesting a possible return in the future.

The executive order cited several reasons for the withdrawal, including

“the organisation’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.” It also criticised the “unfairly onerous payments” the US made as part of the WHO’s budget, which totals $6.8 billion (£5.5 billion).

During his first presidency, Trump accused the WHO of being biased towards China, particularly in its guidance during the pandemic. Despite these criticisms, under the Biden administration, the US became the largest funder of the WHO, contributing nearly one-fifth of its budget in 2023.

Public health experts have expressed concern over Trump’s decision, warning it could have far-reaching consequences. Critics argue that leaving the WHO could undermine global progress in combating infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV & AIDS.

Ashish Jha, former Covid-19 response coordinator under Biden, previously stated that withdrawal would.

harm not only the health of people around the world, but also US leadership and scientific prowess.”

Lawrence Gostin, a global public health expert and professor at Georgetown University, described the move as a “cataclysmic presidential decision,” calling it “a grievous wound to world health, but a still deeper wound to the US.”