Trump’s withdrawal from WHO puts Americans at risk, weakens global health policy

On January 20, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization. This decision, echoing his earlier attempt in 2020, represents a significant pivot in US global health policy.

While the stated rationale for withdrawal includes criticisms of the WHO’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, alleged political biases and the financial burden on the US, this move risks undermining global health security, weakening America’s influence on international health, and exposing the nation to greater health vulnerabilities.

In his executive order, Trump cited the WHO’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic”, particularly in relation to its response to the outbreak in Wuhan, China. He accused the organisation of failing to hold China accountable for its initial lack of transparency, which many argue allowed the virus to spread unchecked. This criticism, while not unfounded, overlooks the complexities of managing a global health crisis and the WHO’s role as a mediator rather than an enforcer of international policies.

Another cornerstone of Trump’s decision was the perceived financial imbalance in American contributions to the WHO. Over the past decade, the US has been the largest donor, contributing between $100 million and $122 million annually in assessed dues and nearly $1.3 billion in…

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