Why the US is Pulling Out of WHO

President Donald Trump has made good on a decision he made in 2020, that the United States would leave the World Health Organization. The decision to pull out was made due to his grievances about WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its perceived alignment with China. This decision, which drew significant criticism from public health experts and international leaders, has profound implications for global health efforts and U.S. foreign policy. He has also taken issue with the “onerous payments” that the organization continues to receive from the United States, saying that China should pay more since it has a population of 1.4 billion, but pays 90% less proportionally to the US.

One of Trump’s primary criticisms of the WHO in his first term, was its alleged bias in favor of China. He accused the organization of failing to hold Beijing accountable for its handling of the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Trump claimed that the WHO accepted China’s early reports on the virus at face value, including assertions that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission, despite warnings from Taiwanese officials and other sources.

The Lancet, a leading medical journal, later published an independent report by the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, which found that the WHO delayed declaring COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) until January 30, 2020. Critics argue this delay may have contributed to the virus’s global spread. Trump’s administration pointed to this timeline as evidence of WHO’s inefficiency and failure to act decisively.

Mishandling of the Pandemic

Trump accused the WHO of mismanaging the global response to COVID-19. He criticized the organization for not supporting international travel restrictions early in the pandemic. Studies published in the Journal of Travel Medicine later highlighted that countries implementing early travel bans and restrictions had varying degrees of success in slowing the virus’s spread. While the WHO initially opposed blanket travel restrictions, arguing they could disrupt international efforts to manage the pandemic, Trump’s administration argued this stance was misguided.

Moreover, Trump emphasized that the WHO failed to adequately press China for transparency during the early days of the outbreak. Reports from outlets such as The New York Times detailed how China delayed sharing critical information, including the virus’s genetic sequence, which hindered global efforts to develop diagnostic tests and vaccines.

Funding Disparities

The United States has historically been the largest single contributor to the WHO. In 2019, the U.S. provided approximately $400 million to the organization, accounting for about 15% of its total budget. Trump argued that this financial commitment was disproportionate compared to contributions from other countries, including China, which contributed roughly $86 million in the same period.

Trump’s administration contended that despite its significant financial support, the U.S. did not receive adequate representation or influence within the organization. He demanded reforms to address funding disparities and ensure greater accountability. However, critics argued that withdrawing funding during a global pandemic would weaken international health initiatives, including vaccine distribution efforts led by the WHO.

Domestic Political Considerations

Analysts suggested that Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO also reflected domestic political considerations. The move aligned with his broader “America First” agenda, which prioritized reducing U.S. involvement in international organizations and agreements perceived as unfavorable to American interests. By targeting the WHO, Trump sought to demonstrate his commitment to holding global institutions accountable while deflecting criticism of his administration’s pandemic response.

However, public health experts warned that this decision risked undermining global health efforts. A 2020 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 65% of Americans believed the U.S. should remain a member of the WHO to support international health initiatives.

Reactions and Global Impact

Trump’s announcement faced swift backlash from international leaders, public health officials, and advocacy organizations. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the decision as “deeply regrettable,” emphasizing the importance of global solidarity in addressing health crises. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading infectious disease expert in the U.S., warned that withdrawing from the WHO could leave the U.S. isolated in its efforts to combat the pandemic.

The decision also raised concerns about the future of global health funding. The WHO relies heavily on voluntary contributions from member states to fund critical programs, including polio eradication, tuberculosis treatment, and vaccine initiatives. A 2021 study published in The BMJ Global Health highlighted the potential long-term impact of reduced U.S. funding on these programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Call for Reforms

In announcing the withdrawal, Trump outlined a list of reforms he believed the WHO needed to implement. These included greater transparency, independence from political influence, and a commitment to timely and accurate reporting during health crises. While the WHO acknowledged the need for improvements, critics argued that withdrawing entirely from the organization would undermine efforts to achieve these goals.

In response to Trump’s criticisms, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated the organization’s commitment to serving all member states equally and emphasized the need for unity in addressing global health challenges.

Reversal Under President Biden

Shortly after taking office in January 2021, President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO. Biden’s administration emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health threats and pledged to restore U.S. leadership in the organization. In a statement, Biden described the WHO as “an indispensable partner” in combating pandemics and advancing public health worldwide.

The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO under Trump highlighted longstanding tensions between the organization and its largest donor. While Trump’s criticisms of the WHO’s pandemic response and funding structure raised important questions, his decision to withdraw faced widespread opposition for its potential to weaken global health initiatives.

The move underscored the need for reform within international health organizations to address issues of transparency, accountability, and equity. At the same time, it reaffirmed the critical role of global cooperation in addressing complex health challenges that transcend national borders.