U.S. Pulls Out of WHO and Halts Foreign Aid

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and suspend all foreign aid for 90 days. This move has ignited significant global concern and sparked widespread debate.

Reasons for Withdrawal from WHO
The executive order outlines several reasons for the decision:

• Handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The U.S. administration criticized the WHO’s response to the pandemic, particularly its perceived leniency towards China’s initial handling of the outbreak.
• Lack of Independence: Concerns were raised about the WHO being influenced by political pressures from member states, which undermined its ability to effectively address global health challenges.
• Financial Inequities: The U.S. highlighted the disparity in financial contributions, pointing out that despite having a smaller population than China, the U.S. contributed far more to the WHO’s budget.
   

Suspension of Foreign Aid
Along with the WHO withdrawal, President Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of all U.S. foreign aid programs. This pause is intended to reassess and realign aid distribution with U.S. foreign policy objectives, with concerns that previous aid efforts might have unintentionally contributed to global instability by supporting ideas inconsistent with fostering peaceful international relations.

Global Implications
The U.S. has been a key financial contributor to the WHO, providing around 18% of its budget. Its withdrawal is expected to significantly affect global health initiatives, especially efforts to combat diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Countries and organizations dependent on U.S. funding may face considerable setbacks in their health programs.

International Reactions
Health experts and global leaders have voiced their alarm over the U.S. decision. Germany’s health minister described it as a serious setback to global health security. Critics argue that the withdrawal could hamper efforts to address global health threats and erode international cooperation.

Historical Context
This is not the first time the U.S. has proposed leaving the WHO. In 2020, President Trump announced a similar withdrawal, citing comparable concerns. However, this decision was reversed by President Joe Biden upon taking office.

Future Outlook
The withdrawal process is expected to be completed within a year. During this period, the U.S. plans to seek alternative partners to take over activities previously carried out by the WHO. The suspension of foreign aid will undergo a thorough review to ensure it aligns with the current U.S. foreign policy objectives.