Trump’s Move to Ditch the WHO Again: Day 1 Sees a Slew of Executive Orders Signed Off

On January 21, 2025, President Trump announced the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), reigniting concerns over the agency’s independence and its response to COVID-19. As the largest historical funder of the WHO, the US exit threatens future funding and global health coordination. The decision raises key implications for the biotech industry, including access to global health data, research collaborations, and vaccine development. It also presents challenges and opportunities for the US biotech sector, alongside legal ramifications and the potential for future re-engagement with the WHO.

Trump’s First Take: WHO’s Too Close to China During COVID

In another major move, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization (WHO). He described the decision as a “big one” after returning to the White House on his first day in office. This marks his second attempt to pull the US out of the WHO, following a similar move in 2020.

Trump had previously criticized the WHO for being too closely tied to China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite pressure from the European Union and other nations, he pushed ahead with his plan to redirect US funding elsewhere. Now, by signing this executive order on his first day, Trump increases the likelihood that the US will officially leave the WHO. “They wanted us back so badly so we’ll see what happens,” he said in the Oval Office, hinting that the US might return someday.

Trump Cites WHO’s Handling of COVID-19 and Political Influence as Reasons for US Withdrawal

Trump’s executive order cited several reasons for the US withdrawal from the WHO. It accused the organization of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China, and failing to implement needed reforms. The order also criticized the WHO for its inability to remain independent from political influence by member states, and Trump declared that the organization is “owned by China!”

Another key factor in the decision was the “unfairly onerous payments” the US made to the WHO, which is part of the United Nations. Trump had previously criticized the organization for being too “China-centric” in its approach to the pandemic, claiming the WHO showed bias in its guidance.

Despite Trump’s decision to withdraw, the Biden administration continued to uphold the US’s financial commitment to the WHO. In 2023, the US contributed nearly one-fifth of the organization’s $6.8 billion annual budget, emphasizing the significant role the US plays in funding the WHO, even amidst the withdrawal.

But now, the latest document dredges up the ongoing concerns over the WHO’s financial demands, stating that the organization “continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the US, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300% of the population of the US, yet contributes nearly 90% less to the WHO.” Trump stated that it is “a bit unfair” for the US to contribute $500 million to the WHO while China pays only $39 million.

WHO’s $1.5B Appeal at Risk as US Withdrawal Threatens Global Disease Efforts

The WHO has yet to officially respond to the US withdrawal, but the move will clearly impact the organization. Losing around 20% of its funding will severely affect key public health efforts, including vaccination programs, climate change-related health initiatives, conflict health responses, and disease eradication efforts like those for polio, malaria, and dracunculiasis.

Last week, the WHO launched an urgent appeal for $1.5 billion in emergency funding to address humanitarian crises in Afghanistan, the occupied Palestinian territories, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The funds aim to tackle emerging health threats like cholera and mpox, emphasizing the pressing need for global support.

Experts Warn Trump’s WHO Withdrawal Could Set Back Global Health Progress and US Leadership

Public health experts have strongly criticized Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO, warning it could reverse progress in fighting infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. These diseases rely on global coordination and resources, and experts believe leaving the organization could hinder efforts to combat them. Additionally, the US withdrawal could also harm vaccine and therapeutic development, further disrupting global health initiatives.

Ashish Jha, former COVID-19 response coordinator under President Biden, warned that the US withdrawal would not only harm global health but also damage the US’s standing in global health leadership and scientific influence.

Lawrence Gostin, a global public health expert at Georgetown University, called the decision “cataclysmic,” stressing that it would be a serious blow to world health and an even greater setback for the US’s role in addressing global health challenges. Specifically he emphasized that US health agencies and pharmaceutical companies rely on WHO data for critical research. Without this data, the US could fall behind in vaccine distribution compared to other nations. Further, Gostin and other experts also worry that China and Russia could gain more influence in shaping global health policies, while the US could be excluded from essential data-sharing initiatives and international research networks. This move may strain US relations with other countries, weakening its global health leadership.

Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding criticized Trump’s decision, calling it unlawful without Congressional approval. He argues that the withdrawal could undermine US competitiveness and its ability to address global health challenges.

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Author

Bernice Lottering