Categories: USA

Trump orders US to leave World Health Organization

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Oooh, this is a big deal,” the new US president said, approving the document after returning to the White House. It was one of dozens of executive actions he signed on to on his first day in office.

This is the second time Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from the WHO.

Trump criticized the international body’s handling of Covid-19 and began the process of withdrawing from the Geneva-based institution during the pandemic. President Joe Biden later reversed the decision.

Implementing this executive action on day one increases the likelihood that the United States will officially leave the global agency.

“They wanted us to come back so bad, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in the Oval Office, referring to the WHO, perhaps hinting that the United States could eventually return.

The order states that the United States is withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms and its inability to demonstrate its independence from inappropriate measures.” political influence of WHO Member States.

The executive order also said the withdrawal was the result of “unfairly onerous payments” made by the United States to the WHO, part of the United Nations.

When Trump was first still in office, he criticized the organization for being too “China-centric” in its fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trump accused the WHO of showing bias against China in the way it issued its guidelines during the outbreak.

Under the Biden administration, the United States remained the WHO’s largest donor, and in 2023 it contributed nearly a fifth of the agency’s budget.

The organisation’s annual budget is $6.8 billion (£5.5 billion).

Public health experts have criticized Trump’s decision to leave the WHO, warning it could have consequences for Americans’ health.

Some have suggested the move could reverse progress made in the fight against infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV and AIDS.

Ashish Jha, who previously worked as Covid-19 response coordinator under President Biden, previously warned that his departure would “not only harm the health of people around the world, but also the leadership and scientific prowess of the United States.” United.”

“This is a cataclysmic presidential decision. The withdrawal is a grave wound to global health, but an even deeper wound to the United States,” said Lawrence Gostin, a global public health expert and professor at the University of Georgetown.

remon Buul

Recent Posts

Trump orders federal employees to return to office full time

Donald Trump signed a return to power order for federal employees in his first hours…

6 minutes ago

CenterPoint Prepares for Houston Winter Storm with Teams, Resources and Safety Tips

Teams from across the country are joining CenterPoint to weather the winter storm. Here's how…

7 minutes ago

Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist John Sykes dies at 65

British rock guitarist John Sykes, who played with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died aged…

9 minutes ago

Ohio State wins national championship by holding off Notre Dame rally and earns first title in 12-team CFP

ATLANTA — Coach Ryan Day silenced critics, running back Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns and…

11 minutes ago

College Football Playoff: Ohio State wins first national title in 10 years with 34-23 win over Notre Dame

ATLANTA – Ohio State had to sweat a little Monday night.The Buckeyes became the first…

14 minutes ago

Melania Trump, Usha Vance and more

Inaugural balls 2025 Image credit: Getty Images (L-R) Vice President JD Vance, Usha Vance, Tiffany…

18 minutes ago