In 2020, the United States, under the leadership of President Trump, initiated a process to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO). This decision was primarily driven by dissatisfaction with the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The US administration cited the organization's failure to adopt essential reforms and its inability to maintain independence from the political influences of its member states. Additionally, concerns about the financial burden on the US played a significant role in this move. President Trump criticized the disproportionate contributions, emphasizing that China pays significantly less despite its larger population.
"China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $40 million per year, compared to what the United States has been paying, which is approximately $450 million a year." – Trump
The US withdrawal required a one-year notice period as per a 1948 Joint Resolution of Congress. On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order to initiate this process. However, the move sparked widespread concern among health experts. They warned that such an action could leave the world more vulnerable to health threats and isolate the US from global health initiatives. The New York Times highlighted that losing access to global health data through the WHO would significantly impact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Despite these concerns, President Biden rescinded the withdrawal notice on his first day in office in January 2021. This reversal aimed to restore the US's involvement with the WHO and reaffirm its commitment to international health collaboration. The legalities surrounding a unilateral withdrawal by a US president remain unclear, raising questions about whether such a decision requires Congressional approval.
China's contributions to the WHO have also sparked debate. Although China has a population three times larger than that of the US, it contributes nearly 90% less to the organization. This disparity has fueled discussions about financial fairness and geopolitical influence within international health forums.
