The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed profound regret over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the United Nations-led health agency, a move that has sent ripples through the global health community. The announcement, which officially begins the process of the U.S. exiting the WHO, marks a significant shift in international cooperation on health issues at a time when global health challenges are more urgent than ever.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus responded to the decision with a message of hope and appeal for dialogue. In a public post, Ghebreyesus stated, "The World Health Organisation regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organisation," further expressing the hope that the U.S. would reconsider this decision and return to the table for constructive discussions. The WHO emphasized that the long-standing partnership between the United States and the organization is essential for global health and that a continued collaboration would benefit not just Americans but people around the world.
In his statement, Ghebreyesus added, "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 statement reflects WHO’s commitment to maintaining strong international partnerships, particularly with the United States, which has historically been one of the most significant contributors to global health efforts.
On January 21, President Trump took the unprecedented step of signing an executive order that triggers the process of the United States officially withdrawing from the World Health Organization. This decision comes at a time when the world is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and other health crises, making the U.S.'s exit from WHO all the more concerning. The withdrawal means that the WHO will lose its largest financial contributor, as the United States has consistently provided approximately 18% of the organization’s funding.
WHO, in its official response, underscored the critical role it plays in protecting global health, including safeguarding the health of U.S. citizens. The organization emphasized that its work is focused on addressing the root causes of diseases, strengthening healthcare systems, and providing support for health emergencies, such as disease outbreaks, particularly in regions where access is limited and difficult. The WHO also pointed out that its work on the ground, often in challenging and dangerous locations, has been instrumental in saving lives around the world, including those in the United States.
In addition, WHO reminded the world of the historical partnership between the United States and the organization. The U.S. has been a founding member of WHO since its establishment in 1948, contributing to its formation and governance over the years. Both the United States and the WHO have worked together to address global health challenges, including major achievements such as the eradication of smallpox and the near-eradication of polio. "Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication," the WHO statement noted, reinforcing the long-term value of U.S. participation in the organization.
The decision for the U.S. to withdraw from WHO is part of a broader narrative that dates back to President Trump's first term in office. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump repeatedly criticized the WHO for being slow to respond to the outbreak and accused the organization of being overly influenced by China. These criticisms were part of a broader political strategy that saw the Trump administration halt U.S. funding to WHO in mid-2020, with Trump arguing that the organization had mishandled the pandemic response.
Now, with the official move to withdraw, the consequences of this decision are becoming increasingly clear. As the largest financial contributor, the United States has played a pivotal role in shaping WHO's global health initiatives, and its absence will have a profound impact on the agency's ability to operate at full capacity. This is especially concerning as the world faces a multitude of ongoing health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of new infectious diseases, and the growing threat of future pandemics. The U.S.'s decision to leave the WHO could significantly disrupt the international community's efforts to address these global health crises.
The United States’ departure from WHO will not be instantaneous. According to the terms of the withdrawal process, it will take about a year for the move to be officially completed. During this period, the U.S. will continue to be involved with the organization, although the loss of its financial contributions and political influence will likely hinder the WHO's ability to fully carry out its global health mission. The eventual departure is expected to have far-reaching consequences not only for the World Health Organization but also for the U.S. healthcare system, which has long benefited from international cooperation in health research, disease control, and emergency response.
WHO has called on the U.S. to reconsider the decision, highlighting the risks that a withdrawal could pose to both global and U.S. health security. The organization reiterated the importance of global cooperation in addressing health challenges, particularly in a world that is more interconnected than ever before. "The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since," WHO’s statement said, emphasizing the long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. and the organization.
The potential consequences of the U.S. departure from WHO extend beyond the organization itself. The loss of U.S. funding could create a funding gap for the agency, leading to reduced capacity for health initiatives around the world. In addition, the U.S. healthcare system could suffer from a lack of coordination and collaboration with global health networks, potentially weakening the country’s ability to respond to future health emergencies.
Given the importance of multilateral cooperation in tackling health threats, the decision to withdraw from WHO raises significant concerns about the future of global health governance. With the U.S. no longer contributing financially to the WHO, other countries will likely need to step up their support for the organization to fill the void left by the U.S. In the meantime, WHO is calling for continued collaboration with the United States and other nations to ensure that global health systems remain strong and capable of responding to future challenges.
