US Withdraws from WHO, Sparking Concerns
The United States officially completed its exit from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, indicating a significant change in global health management.
This move took place precisely one year after President Trump issued an executive order on his first day in office, which halted U.S. membership. The order was based on claims that the WHO mishandled the response to the coronavirus pandemic and exhibited political bias.
In April 2020, Trump criticized the WHO for being too aligned with China, pointing out that the organization relied heavily on information from the Chinese government during the early stages of the pandemic. Notably, China had pledged $500 million to the WHO for a five-year period, a major financial commitment.
While the Trump administration asserts that the withdrawal is now final, WHO lawyers argue that a 1948 joint resolution requires a full year’s notice, alongside the fulfillment of financial responsibilities for the current fiscal year.
Despite these criticisms, the administration insists that the executive order signed by Trump on January 20, 2025, initiated the withdrawal process and fulfilled the one-year notice requirement according to the 1948 Joint Resolution.
Officials from the White House contend that the withdrawal was effectively set in motion with this executive order and subsequent notification to the UN Secretary-General, culminating in the withdrawal date of January 22, 2026.
However, WHO representatives have noted that the U.S. has yet to settle its “outstanding” invoices with the organization. Current records show that the U.S. has not paid its dues for 2024 or 2025, accumulating approximately $260.6 million in unpaid assessments.
Despite this financial situation, the White House and State Department are not planning to settle the debt. A State Department spokesperson remarked that the economic impact of the pandemic on the U.S. far outweighs any financial responsibilities owed to the WHO.
“The American people pay this organization more than enough,” the spokesperson stated. “The WHO’s failure to share crucial information has cost the U.S. trillions of dollars. This administration will not allocate more taxpayer money to an organization that has failed in its primary mission.”
The U.S. departure means that the WHO will encounter a significant funding deficit, as it has traditionally been the largest financial contributor, accounting for about 18% of the organization’s budget.
These cuts could potentially lead to financial constraints for the WHO, including layoffs and reduced program activities. WHO officials expressed regret over the U.S. withdrawal and suggested that the matter would be addressed among member nations, while hoping for continued discussions and a possible reassessment.
In light of this withdrawal, the WHO has already begun to downsize its management team and global health initiatives, anticipating a staffing reduction of 25% by mid-2026. The WHO Executive Board is set to meet in February to deliberate on the developments.
