US Withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO)

On January 20, 2025 US President Donald Trump signed an executive order announcing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This marks his second attempt to pull the US out of the global health body. On July G, 2020 Donald Trump during his first presidency notified the WHO that the US would withdraw from it . The withdrawal never happened because the withdrawal required one year's notice period and in the meantime Mr. Joe Biden became the new President on January 20, 2021. Biden reversed the decision of his predecessor on his first day in office.

Now this withdrawal took effect on January 22, 2026 because the WHO Constitution requires a one-year notice period.

What Has the US Done?

- The United States has officially withdrawn from the WHO on Jan 22, 202G.

- US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to leave WHO.

- The US gave a one-year notice (a warning period) before this happened.

Reasons Given by the US

The US government gave four main reasons for quitting:

- One of the reasons given by the US government is that the WHO favored China during the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak and accepted China’s early report without independent verification.

- US claims that WHO expended its authority under new pandemic treaties and health regulations which could allow WHO to influence national decisions such as imposing lockdowns, setting vaccine policies during pandemics which threatens US national sovereignty.

- The US is the largest financial contributor to the WHO. It contributes 18% of WHO funding and despite this major funding the benefits to the US are not proportionate. They believe WHO programs are often focused on developing nations and the US gets little return on investment.

- The US also criticised the WHO for failing to implement necessary reforms despite repeated calls for greater transparency, accountability and efficiency. They believe continued engagement is futile without meaningful internal improvements.

- Accountability They claimed WHO is not taking responsibility for its actions.

US Actions After Withdrawal

- All US funding to WHO has been stopped.

- US staff and contractors have been called back from WHO offices.

- Hundreds of US programmes with WHO have been cancelled or paused.

- US participation is now limited only to completing the withdrawal process.

WHO’s Response

- WHO rejected US allegations.

- WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said:

a) The withdrawal is a loss for both the US and the world.

- WHO highlighted its work in:

a) Polio eradication

b) HIV/AIDS control

c) Reducing maternal deaths

d) Tobacco control treaty

Political Statements

- US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said:

a) WHO acted against US interests.

b) WHO failed to respect the US, including not returning the American flag at its Geneva office.

WHO’s Appeal to the US

- WHO said it hopes the US will reconsider its decision.

- It stated that:

a) WHO and the US have saved millions of lives together.

b) Continued partnership would benefit global and American health.

What Happens Next?

- The US withdrawal will be discussed in the WHO board meeting.

- Meeting dates: 2–7 February.

Dues Dispute

- WHO has a rule that requires countries to pay pending financial dues before withdrawal. As per the WHO, the U.S. has not paid dues for 2024 and 2025, which is over $133 million.

- On 22 January 2026, a U.S. official denied any obligation to pay the dues.

- This has led to a legal and financial disagreement between the U.S. and the WHO.

NOTE

WHO is one of the 15 specialised agencies of the UN. The US is also leaving one more specialised agency of the UN - UNESCO. President Donald Trump officially announced on July 22, 2025, that the US will once again withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2026.

This is the second time Donald Trump has pulled out of UNESCO; the first time Trump did so in 2017, but the US subsequently rejoined UNESCO in July 2023 under President Biden’s administration.