President Donald J. Trump announced on Monday, January 20, 2025, that the United States will withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), reigniting global debates over the country’s role in international health governance. Trump accused the WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic and failing to act impartially in addressing other global health crises.
During the announcement, Trump criticized the agency for what he called its susceptibility to “inappropriate political influence” from member states and for imposing “unfairly disproportionate financial demands” on the United States. He singled out China, alleging that it contributes far less but exerts significant influence over the WHO.
“World Health ripped us off, just like everybody else rips off the United States,” Trump declared while signing an executive order formalizing the withdrawal, an action taken mere hours after his second inauguration. “This is the end of it. America will no longer subsidize incompetence or corruption.”
Impact of the Withdrawal
The U.S. withdrawal is set to take effect in 12 months, during which time all financial contributions and collaborations with the WHO will be gradually phased out. The United States has historically been the largest donor to the WHO, providing approximately 18% of its overall funding. For the 2024-2025 budget, the WHO is operating on $6.8 billion, of which the U.S. was expected to play a significant role.
Experts warn that the U.S. departure could severely impact global health initiatives, particularly programs addressing tuberculosis—the world’s leading infectious disease killer—HIV/AIDS, polio, and ongoing health emergencies. The loss of U.S. funding could also undermine global pandemic preparedness efforts.
Revised U.S. Health Strategy
Trump’s executive order also included provisions to halt U.S. involvement in the WHO pandemic treaty negotiations. All U.S. personnel working with the WHO will be reassigned, and the administration has committed to identifying alternative partners to assume critical WHO functions. Additionally, the administration plans to overhaul the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, aligning it with the withdrawal.
Global Reactions
The WHO has not yet issued an official response to the announcement. However, observers predict significant challenges for the organization as it navigates the loss of its largest donor. Other key contributors, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), Germany, the European Commission, and the World Bank, may face increased pressure to fill the financial void left by the U.S.
Germany, the next-largest national donor, contributes roughly 3% of the WHO’s funding—far less than the U.S.—highlighting the scale of the funding gap.
Trump’s History with the WHO
This decision follows Trump’s earlier attempt to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO in 2020, during his first term. At the time, Trump accused the organization of assisting China in misleading the world about the origins of COVID-19. The WHO has consistently denied these claims, asserting its commitment to investigating the virus’s origins, including pressuring Beijing to share more data on whether the outbreak stemmed from natural transmission or a laboratory incident.
While Trump suspended U.S. contributions to the WHO in 2020, costing the agency approximately $200 million, the withdrawal process was halted after Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Biden reversed Trump’s decision on his first day in office in January 2021, re-establishing the U.S. as a leading player in global health efforts.
A Shift in Global Health Leadership?
Trump’s decision raises questions about the future of U.S. leadership in global health. Critics argue that the withdrawal weakens international coordination against health crises and damages America’s reputation as a reliable partner. Supporters, however, applaud the move as a necessary step to protect U.S. interests and force accountability in international organizations.
As the 12-month withdrawal process unfolds, the world will closely watch how the WHO adapts and whether the U.S. succeeds in establishing alternative frameworks for global health cooperation.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
