Trump Withdraws U.S. from World Health Organization

President Donald Trump issued an executive order to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The order describes the WHO’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” while continuing to “demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments.”

“While withdrawal is in progress, the Secretary of State will cease negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the International Health Regulations, and actions taken to effectuate such agreement and amendments will have no binding force on the United States,” the order adds.

The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and “recall and reassign United States Government personnel or contractors working in any capacity with the WHO.” He is to further “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”

In response to the intended withdrawal, the WHO said that it “regrets” the decision.

“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go,” the organization said, adding, “We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”

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