The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing the agency’s inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign health policy, ending a partnership that has lasted for over 78 years. The decision has drawn attention due to the ongoing global health crisis and raises questions about future U.S. engagement in international health matters.
President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal, criticizing the WHO for what he described as delays in declaring a global public health emergency. U.S. officials stated that this delay cost the world critical weeks during which the virus spread uncontrollably. They claimed the WHO leadership praised China’s response to the pandemic, despite evidence indicating that vital information was suppressed and that there were significant delays in confirming human-to-human transmission of the virus.
According to U.S. officials, the WHO also minimized the risks associated with asymptomatic transmission and failed to promptly acknowledge the potential for airborne spread of the virus. In a joint statement, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, criticized the organization for pursuing a “politicized, bureaucratic agenda.” They argued that this approach obstructed the timely sharing of critical information that could have saved lives in the United States.
As the U.S. withdraws, officials indicated that the country will limit its engagement with the WHO solely to facilitate the exit process and to protect the health and safety of the American people. The U.S. currently owes the WHO over $130 million. Trump administration officials acknowledged outstanding issues, including the loss of access to valuable data from other countries that could provide early warnings for future pandemics.
The United States has historically played a pivotal role in the creation of the WHO and has been one of its largest donors, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars annually. On average, the U.S. pays approximately $111 million in member dues and contributes an additional $570 million in voluntary funding each year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Moving forward, the U.S. government stated that it would continue to lead in global health through direct engagements with other nations, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based entities. The U.S. emphasized that its health initiatives will focus on emergency response, biosecurity coordination, and health innovation, prioritizing the safety of Americans while also providing benefits to international partners.
This withdrawal from the WHO is likely to have lasting implications for global health cooperation and the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation develops, many are left to consider the future of international health collaboration and the role of the United States in addressing global health challenges.
