Trump Orders US to Leave World Health Organization, Citing Mismanagement and Bias
In a surprise move, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would be withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO), effective immediately. The decision comes amid growing tensions between the US and the global health agency over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and allegations of mismanagement and bias.
The move was announced in a letter sent to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in which Trump accused the organization of being "mismanaged and corrupt" and failing to take adequate action to address the pandemic. The President also cited the WHO’s alleged bias towards China, where the virus originated, as a major factor in his decision.
"We have a great company, a fantastic company, and we’re going to be doing other things that are going to be much better for the country," Trump said during a press conference at the White House. "The WHO has been very, very wrong about many things, and I think they’re wrong about this pandemic."
The decision to leave the WHO is a significant blow to the organization, which has been working to coordinate a global response to the pandemic. The US is the largest contributor to the WHO, providing around 15% of the organization’s budget.
The move is also likely to have significant implications for global health policy, as the US is a major player in international health initiatives. The WHO has been a key partner in efforts to combat infectious diseases, including Ebola, SARS, and influenza.
The decision to leave the WHO has been met with widespread criticism from global health experts and leaders. The WHO has been praised for its efforts to coordinate a global response to the pandemic, and many have expressed concern that the US withdrawal will undermine global efforts to combat the virus.
"This is a grave mistake," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "The WHO has been a critical partner in our efforts to combat infectious diseases, and this decision will undermine global health security."
The WHO has also condemned the decision, saying that it is "regrettable" and "unfortunate". "The WHO is committed to continuing to work with all countries, including the United States, to address the pandemic and promote global health security," said a spokesperson for the organization.
The move is also likely to have significant implications for the US healthcare system, as the country is likely to face challenges in coordinating its response to the pandemic without the support of the WHO.
The decision to leave the WHO is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to withdraw from international agreements and organizations. The administration has already withdrawn from the Paris climate accord, the Iran nuclear deal, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, among others.
The US withdrawal from the WHO is effective immediately, but it is unclear what the long-term implications will be for global health policy and the country’s response to the pandemic.
