The United States officially withdraws from the World Health Organization, accusing it of deception and costing the country trillions.
USA Withdrawal from WHO
On Thursday (January 22), the United States officially left the World Health Organization. However, Donald Trump announced this step on his first day as president, in early January 2025.
“Under U.S. law, the United States must notify with one year’s advance and pay all outstanding fees,” reports Reuters. The US accuses the organization of having “deceived” them. A State Department spokesperson stated that WHO’s negligence in collecting, managing, and sharing information cost the country trillions of dollars.
“Americans have paid the organization enough, and economic losses are greater than any advance payment on financial commitments to the organization,” they emphasized.
WHO Statement: Appeal for “Constructive Dialogue”
The World Health Organization issued a statement on the matter. “The World Health Organization has received with regret the information about the intention of the United States of America to leave the Organization.”
“WHO plays a key role in protecting the health and security of people worldwide, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of diseases, building stronger healthcare systems, and detecting and preventing health crises, including disease outbreaks, and responding to them, often in dangerous places where others cannot go,” the organization highlighted.
“With the participation of the United States and other member states, WHO has implemented the largest set of reforms in its history over the past seven years. (…) We hope that the United States will reconsider this issue and we eagerly await establishing a constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO for the benefit of millions of people worldwide,” they added.
WHO Director-General: Threat to the World
WHO also announced that the United States has not yet paid its dues for 2024 and 2025. A spokesperson for the organization stated that member states will discuss Washington’s decision at a meeting scheduled for February.
“Withdrawal is a loss for the United States, and also a loss for the rest of the world,” emphasized Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
