WASHINGTON D.C. , El Sky News – In a move that aligns with his long-standing “America First” foreign policy, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14155 on his first day back in office, officially initiating the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). The decision marks a dramatic shift in global health diplomacy and fulfills a core campaign promise to decouple the U.S. from international bodies he deems inefficient or biased.
Financial Disparity and the “China Influence”
The cornerstone of the administration’s argument rests on financial inequity. President Trump pointed to the significant gap between American contributions and those of other superpowers. Currently, the U.S. provides approximately 20% of the WHO’s assessed and voluntary budget, totaling over $600 million annually.
“The American taxpayer has been subsidizing an organization that fails to protect American interests,” the President stated during the signing. He specifically highlighted China, noting that despite its massive population and economic status, it pays a fraction of what the U.S. contributes while allegedly exerting disproportionate influence over the agency’s leadership and policy decisions.
A Legacy of Pandemic Grievances
The roots of this withdrawal trace back to the initial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trump administration maintains that the WHO was “slow to act” and “complicit in a cover-up” regarding the virus’s origins in Wuhan. By exiting the organization, the White House claims it is holding the global body accountable for what it describes as a catastrophic failure in transparency and early-warning systems.
Critics of the WHO argue that the agency’s reliance on member-state cooperation makes it vulnerable to political pressure, a flaw the Trump administration believes cannot be fixed through internal reforms.
Redirecting Resources to Domestic Health
Rather than funding a centralized global bureaucracy, the executive order directs the Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify bilateral partners. The administration intends to reallocate the millions of dollars previously earmarked for the WHO toward:
- National Preparedness: Strengthening the CDC and domestic pandemic response units.
- Direct Aid: Providing health assistance directly to allied nations without an international intermediary.
- Border Bio-Security: Enhancing screening and medical protocols at U.S. points of entry.
Global Implications and Legal Hurdles
The withdrawal is not instantaneous. Under a 1948 joint resolution, the U.S. must provide a one-year notice period, meaning the exit will not be finalized until January 2026. Furthermore, the WHO has noted that the U.S. currently owes nearly $280 million in arrears—a debt the administration has shown little interest in settling.
While global health experts warn that an American exit could leave a “leadership vacuum” and hinder the tracking of emerging diseases like avian flu, the White House remains firm. The administration asserts that American leadership in medical innovation and pharmaceutical research will continue to influence global health, but on its own terms and under its own flag. ( Rahul Rezky )
