Trump signed an executive order to leave the WHO on Jan. 20, 2025, citing the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and what he called its broader failures in global public health crises.
According to U.S. law, withdrawal requires one year’s notice and payment of all outstanding dues. The WHO previously stated that the U.S. still owed USD 260 million for 2024 and 2025. The U.S. was the WHO’s largest financial contributor, providing over USD 1.2 billion in 2022–2023—roughly 18% of the agency’s total budget.
The Trump administration accused the WHO of demanding “unfair and burdensome payments” from the U.S., particularly in comparison to China, which contributed just over USD 156 million in the same period.
In a statement, a State Department spokesperson said the WHO’s failures in gathering, managing, and sharing health data had “cost the United States trillions of dollars.” The spokesperson added, “Americans have paid more than enough to this organization, and the economic blow we suffered is greater than any down payment on future commitments.”
The White House also announced the suspension of all U.S. government funding, support, or resources for the WHO going forward.
“This is a blatant violation of U.S. law,” said Lawrence Gostin of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University. “But Trump will likely get away with it.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had repeatedly warned that a U.S. withdrawal would significantly weaken the organization and urged Washington to reconsider.
The WHO, established in 1948 as a specialized United Nations agency, is tasked with coordinating international public health efforts, setting health standards, and responding to emergencies such as disease outbreaks.
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Source: PAP