On his first day back in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump reignited a decision: withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). The move, which mirrors his actions during his first term, has sparked concerns among scientists, health experts, and global leaders about its far-reaching implications.
What’s Happening?
Trump’s executive order outlines the initial steps for the withdrawal process, including halting future US funding to WHO, reassigning federal personnel, and identifying alternative partners to handle global health initiatives previously managed by the organization.
This isn’t uncharted territory for Trump. In July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he began the process of pulling the US out of WHO, citing concerns over the organization’s alleged bias toward China. That decision was later reversed by President Joe Biden, but Trump’s return to this agenda has reignited global debates.
Why Does It Matter?
The United States has long been the largest financial contributor to WHO, providing up to $815 million annually. This funding supports critical health programs, including efforts to eradicate polio, fight tuberculosis, and improve maternal and child health. A US withdrawal could leave a gaping financial hole, potentially crippling these initiatives and jeopardizing the world’s ability to respond to emerging health crises.
Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC Director, warns that the move “makes Americans—and the world—less safe.” Without US resources, WHO’s global surveillance efforts and epidemic response capabilities could be severely weakened, increasing the risk of unchecked disease outbreaks.
Moreover, American scientists risk losing access to WHO’s vital genetic databases, which are essential for developing vaccines and medicines against new threats. Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown University cautions that this could allow novel diseases to “spin out of control, cross borders, and potentially spark pandemics.”
How Will the World Respond?
When Trump first initiated a withdrawal, Germany stepped in to increase its funding, briefly becoming WHO’s largest donor. However, it remains unclear whether other nations will rally to fill the void this time. Dr. Pete Baker of the Center for Global Development suggests that more flexible funding from member states or philanthropists could help WHO adapt, but this is far from guaranteed.
Why Is Trump Doing This?
Trump has consistently accused WHO of being influenced by corporate interests and China. During his 2020 campaign, he criticized the organization for its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, alleging that it colluded with China to obscure the virus’s severity in its early stages.
An investigation by the Associated Press in 2020 found that China withheld critical information about the virus, hindering WHO’s efforts to contain its spread. Trump’s decision appears rooted in this perception of mismanagement and a broader agenda to challenge global institutions he views as ineffective or biased.
What’s Next for WHO?
While WHO has expressed a willingness to collaborate with the US, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also signaled the agency’s resilience. He pointed to the 2018 Ebola outbreak in Congo, where WHO successfully managed the crisis without American first responders.
However, the challenges posed by the US withdrawal are undeniable. Losing its biggest donor threatens to disrupt vaccine distribution, disease research, and public health support for low-income countries.
The Bigger Picture
Trump’s withdrawal from WHO could mark a turning point in global health governance. Beyond the financial implications, it underscores the fragility of international cooperation in tackling shared challenges like pandemics.
As the world watches, one question looms large: Can global health efforts withstand the loss of US leadership, or will this decision unravel decades of progress in fighting infectious diseases?
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