President Trump Moves to Withdraw U.S. from WHO Again, Raising Global Health Concerns

President Donald Trump has begun the process of withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization for the second time in less than five years. It is a move many scientists fear could roll back decades long gains made in fighting diseases like AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Experts have also cautioned that withdrawing from the organization could weaken the world’s defenses against new outbreaks capable of triggering pandemics. During the first Oval Office appearance of his second term, Trump signed an executive order detailing how the withdrawal process might begin. His move calls for pausing the future transfer of U.S. government funds to the organization, recalling and reassigning federal personnel and contractors working with WHO. It also calls on officials to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by” WHO. Trump now only needs to get the approval of Congress and ensure the U.S. meets its financial obligations to WHO for the current fiscal year. The U.S. joined WHO via a 1948 joint resolution passed by both chambers of Congress, which has subsequently been supported by all administrations. The resolution requires the U.S. to provide a one-year notice period should it decide to leave WHO.