U.S. to Exit the World Health Organization

On 20th January 2025, US President Donald Trump announced the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and undue political influence.

Key Points

Allegations Against WHO: Trump accused the WHO of acting under "inappropriate political influence" and failing to act independently during global health crises. He also criticized the financial contributions demanded from the U.S. as "unfairly onerous."
Funding Impact: The U.S., which provides approximately 18% of the WHO's funding, will cease all contributions. The organization’s current 2024-2025 budget is $6.8 billion.
Timeline for Withdrawal: The exit will take effect in 12 months, barring financial contributions or engagement with the UN health agency.
Historical Context: Trump had previously initiated steps to withdraw from the WHO in 2020, accusing it of aiding China in covering up the origins of COVID-19.
WHO's Response: The organization denies these claims, maintaining its efforts to urge China to provide data on COVID-19 origins.