The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday expressed deep regret over President Donald Trump’s executive order to withdraw the United States from the global health body.
The announcement has sparked widespread concern about the implications for international health efforts, as the United States has played a pivotal role in funding and shaping WHO’s work since its inception in 1948.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic confirmed the organisation’s disappointment, stating, “The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organisation.”
WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed the sentiment in an official statement, emphasising the importance of the partnership between the United States and WHO over the decades.
“Together, we ended smallpox and brought polio to the brink of eradication,” the statement noted.
Tedros also highlighted the organisation’s critical role in addressing global health emergencies, often in challenging environments, and urged the United States to reconsider its decision.
The United States has been the WHO’s largest financial contributor, providing substantial resources for programs combating infectious diseases, strengthening health systems, and responding to health crises worldwide. The withdrawal could severely disrupt these efforts and weaken global preparedness against pandemics.
Tom Frieden, a former senior health official under President Barack Obama, warned that the move undermines global safety. “We cannot make WHO more effective by walking away from it,” he wrote on X.
Georgetown University’s Lawrence Gostin cautioned that losing access to WHO’s epidemic surveillance data could jeopardize U.S. security and innovation in addressing health threats.
The timing of the withdrawal raises additional concerns, as it coincides with negotiations for the world’s first treaty on pandemic preparedness and prevention—a process now set to proceed without US participation.
China’s response
Meanwhile, China has pledged continued support for WHO, with foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun asserting, “The role of WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened.” This statement reflects Beijing’s intent to fill the vacuum left by the United States’ departure.
Trump’s executive order also directs US agencies to halt funding to WHO and explore alternative global health partnerships. The move reverses the 2024 Global Health Security Strategy enacted under President Joe Biden, which prioritised coordinated responses to infectious disease threats.
The WHO remains hopeful that the United States will reconsider its position. “We hope the United States will reconsider. We look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership,” Tedros stated, emphasising the shared goal of safeguarding global health.