President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is reportedly planning to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) as early as January 20, the day of his inauguration, according to experts familiar with the discussions.
Trump, 78, has been a vocal critic of the WHO, repeatedly calling it a “puppet of Beijing” for failing to hold China accountable for the early spread of COVID-19.
“I have it on good authority that he plans to withdraw, probably on Day One or very early in his administration,” said Lawrence Gostin, professor of global health at Georgetown University and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law.
The Financial Times first reported on the potential withdrawal, citing two sources. One of them, former White House COVID-19 response coordinator Ashish Jha, indicated that Trump’s team may move faster this time to exit the organization.
“There are lots of people who are going to be part of the inner circle of the administration who do not trust the WHO and want to symbolically show on day one that they are out,” Jha told the publication.
A U.S. withdrawal from the WHO would mark a significant departure from current global health policy and could diminish America’s role in international pandemic response efforts. The U.S. accounted for roughly 16% of WHO’s funding in 2022-23, making it the agency’s largest donor.
Critics have warned that such a move could undermine global health efforts. Gostin commented, “The U.S. would lose influence and clout in global health, and China would fill the vacuum. I can’t imagine a world without a robust WHO. But U.S. withdrawal would severely weaken the agency.”
Trump previously began the year-long process to withdraw from the WHO in 2020 during his first term. However, that decision was reversed by President Joe Biden after he took office.
When approached for comment, the Trump transition team did not respond, and a WHO spokesperson referred inquiries to statements made by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Earlier this month, Tedros urged for “time and space” for the transition and voiced optimism about the finalization of a pandemic agreement by May 2025.
Trump Rekindles Interest in Greenland Purchase
The WHO withdrawal discussions come alongside Trump’s renewed interest in purchasing Greenland. On Sunday night, Trump referred to the island’s acquisition as “an absolute necessity” for global security.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
During his first term, Trump expressed interest in buying Greenland, but Danish authorities rejected the notion, emphasizing that Greenland is “open for business, not for sale.”
Trump’s comments follow other controversial proposals, such as territorial expansion into Mexico and Canada, and threats to reassert control over the Panama Canal.
While these proposals have raised eyebrows internationally, Trump has not provided specifics on how such acquisitions would be accomplished or funded. However, he has continued to argue that stronger U.S. control over key territories is essential for the nation’s economic and strategic interests.
This remains a developing story. Check back for updates.
