Donald Trump Moves to Withdraw the US From the World Health Organization

The Donald Trump administration has notified the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, of its notice to withdraw from the World Health Organization by July 6, 2021, confirmed by a senior administration official.

The senior official claimed that the WHO had refused to act on the detailed reforms the United States wanted.

He further added that because WHO has failed to make the requested and much-needed reforms, the US will terminate her relationship with the health organization.

The United States President had made his intentions clear in late May, accusing the WHO of being controlled by China in the wake of the pandemic despite china paying $40 million per year compared to the United States that pays approximately $450 million a year.

President Trump said in May while making his intentions clear, “We will be terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and directing those funds” to other global public health charities.”

“The world is now suffering as a result of the malfeasance of the Chinese government,” he said, adding that China had instigated a global pandemic.

Donald Trump accused China of pressurizing the WHO to mislead the world about the virus.

“China has total control over the World Health Organization,” the president said.

Despite calls from the EU and others, Trump said he would pull out of the UN agency and redirect funds elsewhere. Meanwhile, other countries, including Germany and the UK, have said they have no intention of withdrawing funding from the WHO, co-coordinating a global initiative to develop a vaccine against Covid-19.

However, the leading Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez tweeted, “Congress received notification that POTUS officially withdrew the US from the WHO amid a pandemic. It leaves Americans sick and America alone.”

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden, also tweeted, “On my first day as President, I will rejoin the WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage.”

Furthermore, the World Health Organization is a UN agency responsible for global public health founded in 1984 and based in Geneva, Switzerland.

World Health Organization has 194 member states which aim to promote health, keep the world safe. Also, WHO is involved in vaccination campaigns, health emergencies, and supporting countries in primary care.

The organization is funded by a combination of members’ fees based on wealth, population, and voluntary contributions.