Archive · 23 Jan 2026
US Completes WHO Withdrawal Process
The United States has officially left the World Health Organization (WHO).
President Trump decided this because he thought the WHO did not handle the Covid-19 pandemic well and was not transparent.
The US also gives a lot of money to the WHO but feels it is not getting enough in return.
The withdrawal process started a year ago and is now complete.
During this time, the US will stop giving money to the WHO and will not take part in their meetings.
The US will still work on global health but outside the WHO.
Some people think this is a bad idea because it might make it harder to fight diseases around the world.
But the US government thinks it will help them control their own health strategies better.
The US also owes the WHO $270 million in unpaid dues, which is a violation of US law.
The US has officially withdrawn from the WHO, completing a process started a year ago under an executive order signed by President Trump.
The decision was confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the State Department.
The administration believed the WHO had 'strayed from its core mission' and failed to meet standards of reform, accountability, and transparency.
The US will continue to play a role in global public health outside the WHO framework, with plans to continue work on disease surveillance, diagnostics, and outbreak response.
Public health experts have raised concerns about the move, stating that global cooperation is essential to respond to health threats.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and the US administration
- What
- Withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- When
- Announced on January 20, 2025; effective January 23, 2026
- Where
- Global impact, with the US ceasing participation in WHO activities
- Why
- Concerns over WHO's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, political influence, and funding disparities
- Date of Withdrawal Announcement
- January 20, 2025
- Effective Date of Withdrawal
- January 23, 2026
- Reason for Withdrawal
- Mishandling of Covid-19 pandemic, lack of reform, accountability, and transparency
- US Contribution to WHO
- Major funder and contributor to surveillance and response mechanisms
- Impact of Withdrawal
- Pauses US support and participation in WHO negotiations
- Alternative Plan
- Identifying credible partners for roles previously carried out by WHO
- Criticism of Withdrawal
- Could weaken global efforts to fight outbreaks and health challenges
- Support for Withdrawal
- Allows US to take greater control of its own biosecurity and health strategy
- Unpaid Dues
- $270 million
- US Funding Share
- 18% of WHO's overall funding
Sources
US officially exits WHO today citing 'mishandling of Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China
US set to quit World Health Organization
US to quit WHO despite warnings & unpaid dues of $260 million
US Set To Officially Quit World Health Organisation
US formally exits WHO: Why the massive funding cut changes everything
Bloated, inefficient bureaucracy: US ends WHO membership
US withdraws from WHO over COVID-19 response, turns to bilateral health partnerships
US officially exits World Health Organization: ‘Strayed from its core mission’
US Withdraws From The World Health Organization
US exists World Health Organization, accuses agency of ‘abandoning its core mission’
US completes withdrawal from WHO, leaves unpaid dues worth up to $260 million
