President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a dramatic shift in global health diplomacy.

Speaking at the White House shortly after his inauguration, Trump criticized the UN health agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and accused it of favoring China at the expense of other nations.

“The World Health Organization ripped us off,” Trump stated. “The United States has been paying far more to the WHO compared to China, and it’s time we put an end to that.”

As the largest donor to the Geneva-based organization, the United States has historically provided crucial financial support for the WHO’s operations. This decision is expected to disrupt global health initiatives and force significant restructuring within the organization.

In his executive order, Trump instructed federal agencies to suspend the transfer of U.S. government funds, resources, or support to the WHO. He also called for identifying credible international and domestic partners to take over activities previously managed by the organization.

A Repeated Pattern
This is not the first time Trump has attempted to cut ties with the WHO. During his first term, he issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. That move was later reversed by former President Joe Biden, who restored U.S. membership and funding.

The Trump administration has also announced plans to review and rescind Biden’s 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy, which focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats. According to the executive order, this review will begin “as soon as practicable.”

The timing of this withdrawal raises concerns, especially as the world faces the potential threat of an H5N1 bird flu outbreak. The virus, which has already infected dozens and claimed a life in the U.S., poses a significant risk of becoming another global health emergency.

Meanwhile, WHO member states have been negotiating the world’s first treaty on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response since late 2021, further highlighting the high stakes of U.S. disengagement from the global health organization.