Trump signs order to remove US from WHO.

The United States is the largest donor to the Geneva-based organisation, which provides significant financial support that is essential to the WHO’s operations.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ordering the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organisation, a body he has frequently criticised for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump said in a White House speech hours after taking office that the United States was paying far more to the UN body than China, adding: “World Health ripped us off.”

The withdrawal is anticipated to cause a major restructuring of the organisation and could further disrupt global health initiatives.

Trump has attempted to cut off relations with the WHO twice. The United States accused the organisation of being unduly influenced by China in the early stages of the pandemic and issued a notice of intent to resign during his first term.

Later, during the administration of former President Joe Biden, that action was undone. Trump’s new executive order instructed agencies to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO” and to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO.” Additionally, the administration declared that, “as soon as practicable,” it will examine and revoke Biden’s 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, which aimed to prevent, identify, and respond to infectious disease threats.

The US departure coincides with growing concerns about the current bird flu outbreak’s (H5N1) ability to spread like a pandemic, which has killed one person and infected hundreds in the US.

Meanwhile, WHO member nations have been draughting the world’s first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021—the negotiations are now scheduled to resume without US participation.