U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization on January 20, 2025, coinciding with the inauguration of his new term. This action aims to serve as a reversal of President Joe Biden’s decision to rejoin the W.H.O. on his very first day in office in 2021.
Breitbart reported that the potential withdrawal threatens significant changes to the W.H.O.'s funding and global health initiatives, given the U.S.’s substantial financial contributions.
Without the U.S., the W.H.O. will have to actually fund itself instead of leaching off of American taxpayers.
The United States is the World Health Organization's largest single donor, accounting for around 16 percent of the organization’s budget. In 2024, the W.H.O. operated on a financial plan totaling $6.83 billion, emphasizing the importance of U.S. contributions.
The potential exit, initiated by Trump's incoming administration, signifies a possible substantial reduction in W.H.O. funding.
In 2020, President Trump initiated the U.S.’s withdrawal due to claims that the organization favored China during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He expressed concerns over the W.H.O. being "very China-centric." This decision was met with widespread criticism and concern over the potential impact on global health initiatives.
However, the withdrawal process was halted as President Biden swiftly re-engaged with the organization upon assuming office in 2021. Biden’s decision reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to international health cooperation.
Ashish Jha, a source close to the situation, pointed out that Trump's team intends to create a symbolic moment by making this withdrawal one of their first acts upon taking office.
By aligning this decision with their inauguration, they aim to contrast Biden's initial actions as president. Jha highlighted the desire of Trump’s inner circle to showcase their distrust of the W.H.O. immediately.
According to another source familiar with the plans, the skepticism toward the W.H.O. remains ingrained in Trump’s team, mirroring past administration attitudes. They referenced the previous attempts to leave the organization, suggesting perseverance in the initial mistrust.
The potential U.S. exit from the W.H.O. brings about profound implications for the organization’s operations and financial health.
As the largest contributor, the absence of U.S. funds could impact various health programs worldwide. Given the scale of the U.S.’s financial support, the W.H.O. would need to seek alternative funding sources to mitigate the deficit caused by this withdrawal.
In 2020, Trump vocalized his mistrust of the W.H.O., citing perceived biases toward China. This longstanding skepticism within Trump's circle has fueled their determination to erase policies enacted by the previous administration rapidly.
Currently, Trump's transition team has withheld direct comments on the proposed withdrawal plans. The lack of official statements adds a layer of anticipation surrounding how the U.S. role in global health governance may alter under the new administration.
The plan to announce the withdrawal on inauguration day signals an aggressive foreign policy stance and highlights the administration's differences with its predecessor.
The exact impact this withdrawal will have on the W.H.O.’s capabilities remains to be seen, pending official confirmation from the incoming administration.
Analysts emphasize that a U.S. departure could leave a substantial gap in the W.H.O.’s budget. During his previous term, Trump's decision to disengage from the organization was met with warnings of potential setbacks for global health initiatives.
As the world continues to battle various health emergencies, the decision underscores the critical intersection of international politics and health diplomacy. The plan to exit serves as a continuation of a contentious relationship between Trump's policy decisions and global health cooperatives.
