The WHO expresses regret regarding the US decision and requests that President Trump reconsider the withdrawal.
The World Health Organization expressed its disappointment on Tuesday regarding US President Donald Trump’s choice to withdraw from the agency, which he announced just hours after his inauguration. The WHO indicated its hope that he might reconsider this decision.
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order mandating the United States' exit from the WHO, an organization he has frequently criticized for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During a speech at the White House shortly after taking office, Trump stated that the United States was contributing significantly more to the UN agency than China, claiming, “World Health ripped us off.”
As the largest contributor to the Geneva-based organization, the United States plays a crucial role in funding the WHO's operations.
The UN health agency reiterated its regret over the decision on Tuesday.
“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans,” spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva.
“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
The US withdrawal is expected to trigger a significant restructuring of the institution and could further disrupt global health initiatives.
This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO.
During his first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the pandemic’s early stages.
That move was later reversed under former president Joe Biden’s administration.
Jasarevic stressed that it would take one year from formal notification for the US to leave WHO, according to the rules in place.
China promises support
In China, a foreign ministry spokesman said Beijing would continue supporting the WHO.
“The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened,” Guo Jiakun said.
“China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity.”
In his new executive order, Trump directed agencies to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”
The administration also announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, “as soon as practicable.”
Several experts expressed dismay at the withdrawal.
“We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it,” Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under Barack Obama, wrote on on X.
“The decision to withdraw weakens America’s influence, increases the risk of a deadly pandemic, and makes all of us less safe.”
Others warned that by withdrawing from the organization, the United States will lose privileged access to important epidemic surveillance data which could harm the capacity to monitor and prevent health threats from abroad.
“Instead of being the first to receive vaccines, we will be at the back of the line,” wrote Lawrence Gostin, professor of public health law at Georgetown University, on X.
“Withdrawal from WHO inflicts a deep wound on US security & our competitive edge in innovation.”
The timing of the United States' withdrawal coincides with increasing concerns regarding the pandemic threat posed by the ongoing H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has affected numerous individuals and resulted in one fatality in the country.
At the same time, member states of the World Health Organization have been engaged in discussions to establish the first global treaty focused on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021. These negotiations now appear to be moving forward without the involvement of the United States.