The United States has officially announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) as of Thursday, a decision revealed in a joint statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They stated that this move is intended to "free the nation from the constraints" of the international body and fulfill a promise made by President Donald Trump.
This decision, enacted through Executive Order 14155 signed by Trump on his first day in office, marks the end of more than seventy years of U.S. involvement in the WHO, where it was a founding member and the primary financial backer.
The official statement attributes the withdrawal to the "failures" of the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic and its "politicized agenda," which Washington claims has harmed American interests.
"Like many international organizations, the WHO has strayed from its core mission and repeatedly acted against the interests of the United States. It obstructed the timely and accurate exchange of information that could have saved lives and then covered up its failures under the guise of public health action," the statement reads.
Rubio and Kennedy noted that, even in the final days of their relationship, the WHO "disrespected the United States" by refusing to return the American flag flying outside its Geneva headquarters and demanding financial compensation upon the U.S. exit.
"From our days as a principal founder and largest financier to today, the affronts to the United States continue," they added.
The U.S. government announced that going forward, all interactions with the WHO will be limited to necessary arrangements to facilitate the withdrawal and safeguard the health of the American people. Additionally, it confirmed the immediate suspension of all funding and personnel involvement in WHO-related projects.
"The U.S. withdrawal is for the victims: those who died alone in care facilities, the small businesses destroyed by WHO-driven restrictions, and the lives ruined by its inaction," the statement concludes, accusing the organization of becoming "an inefficient and irreparable bureaucracy."
Washington emphasized that it will continue to lead global health efforts through bilateral partnerships and "more effective, transparent, and results-oriented models," replacing what it described as "the bloated and politicized structure of the WHO."
Key Questions about the U.S. Withdrawal from WHO
Why did the U.S. decide to leave the WHO?
The U.S. decided to leave the WHO due to perceived failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and an agenda that Washington claims is politicized and detrimental to American interests.
What impact will the U.S. withdrawal have on global health initiatives?
The U.S. plans to continue leading global health efforts through bilateral partnerships and more efficient models, potentially affecting how international health initiatives are structured and funded.
How will this decision affect U.S. contributions to international health?
The decision will halt U.S. funding and personnel involvement in WHO projects, redirecting resources to alternative health initiatives focused on transparency and results.