The order stated that the US was leaving “due to the organisation’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic … 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”.

The order said the withdrawal was also the result of “unfairly onerous payments” made by the US to the WHO. According to a report by the BBC, the WHO has an annual budget of US$6.8 billion, and in 2023 the US contributed around a fifth of that figure.

Trump has been heavily critical of the organisation in the past, accusing it of being biased towards China in its management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the BBC reported that when signing the order he suggested that the US might rejoin the WHO at a later point in time, saying: “They wanted us back so badly, so we’ll see what happens.”

WHO hopes for a constructive dialogue

In response to the move, the WHO stated that it “regrets” the announcement, and that it “hopes the United States will reconsider”.

The agency added: “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.”

It also noted that “American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership of WHO”, with the US contributing significantly to its success in the decades since its establishment in 1948.

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