U.S. Set To Officially Exit World Health Organization
The United States is set to formally withdraw from the World Health Organization on Thursday, despite warnings that the move could harm both U.S. and global public health and may violate a U.S. law requiring Washington to settle about $260 million in outstanding dues to the UN health agency. President Donald Trump announced the decision to pull the U.S. out of the WHO on the first day of his presidency in 2025 through an executive order. However, U.S. law mandates a one-year notice period and the full payment of all unpaid contributions before a withdrawal can take effect. On Thursday, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said the WHO’s handling of global health crises had failed the United States, arguing that the organization’s inability to contain, manage, and properly share information had cost the country trillions of dollars. The spokesperson added that the president had used his authority to halt any future transfer of U.S. government funds, support, or resources to the WHO. “The American people have paid more than enough to this organization and this economic hit is beyond a down payment on any financial obligations to the organization,” the spokesperson said in an email.