Trump's WHO withdrawal plan sparks global health alarm
Donald Trump's transition team is planning to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the first day of the new administration, according to experts who stress the "catastrophic" consequences such a move would have on global health.
As reported by the Financial Times, members of Trump's team have informed experts of plans to announce the withdrawal from this health organization on the president-elect's inauguration day, January 20. This decision would deprive WHO of its largest source of funding, significantly limiting the organization's capacity to respond to health crises like the coronavirus pandemic.
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"America is going to leave a huge vacuum in global health financing and leadership. I see no one that is going to fill the breach," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health at Georgetown Law, adding that the plan to withdraw "on day one" would be "catastrophic" for world health.
The dispute over U.S. relations with WHO emerges as Trump has appointed several allies, such as vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy, to key health positions in the new administration. However, Gostin noted that he is uncertain if Trump views an immediate withdrawal as high a priority as some of his team.
The U.S. is WHO's largest single donor, providing about 16 percent of its budget in 2022–2023.
In 2020, Trump began the process of withdrawing the U.S. from WHO as Covid-19 spread worldwide, accusing the organization of being dependent on China. However, this process was never completed, and his successor, Joe Biden, renewed ties with WHO on his first day in office in 2021.
Experts suggest that some members of Trump's team want to act much more quickly this time, starting the process immediately after taking office.
WHO crucial in vaccine development and distribution
Ashish Jha, former White House Covid response coordinator under President Biden and dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University, said that Trump's transition team wants the withdrawal on the first day because of the "symbolism" of reversing Biden's decision made on his inauguration day.
"There are lots of people who are going to be part of the inner circle of the administration who do not trust the WHO and want to symbolically show on day one that they are out," he stated.
He noted that while part of the team wants to remain in WHO and push for reforms, another group advocating for breaking ties seems to be winning the argument.
WHO is crucial for global cooperation in the development and distribution of vaccines and other treatments during health crises, Jha emphasized. "If you’re not engaged in these institutions, you do not have ears to the ground when the next outbreak happens," he warned.
Gostin stated that "very lean years" lie ahead for WHO, during which the organization will struggle to respond to crisis situations and will likely have to significantly reduce its scientific staff.
He also warned that if the U.S. leaves WHO, European countries are unlikely to increase their funding, and China may try to boost its influence. "It would not be a smart move as withdrawal would cede leadership to China," he added.
Trump's team and WHO declined official comment. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organization's director-general, said this month that WHO is a "unique organization" hoping to collaborate with American policymakers.
"From our side, we’re ready to work together," he said. "I believe US leaders understand that the US cannot be safe unless the rest of the world is safe," emphasized Ghebreyesus.
