US officially exits WHO after year-long withdrawal process

USA—The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking the end of America’s 78-year partnership with the global health agency.

President Donald Trump initiated this process exactly one year ago when he signed an executive order on his first day in office in 2025, triggering the mandatory one-year waiting period required before the withdrawal could be finalized.

Administration Cites Multiple Grievances

Trump justified the decision by pointing to what he described as the organization’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic” and its response to “other global health crises.”

The president also argued that US membership imposed “unfairly onerous payments” on American taxpayers.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a joint statement January 22 declaring that the withdrawal frees the United States “from its constraints.”

Financial Disputes Cloud the Exit

The departure has created significant financial tensions between Washington and the WHO.

The global health agency reports that the United States owes more than US130 million in outstanding fees, though disagreement exists over this figure.

Under US law, the country must pay all outstanding obligations before officially leaving the organization, with WHO stating  that fees for both 2024 and 2025 has remained unpaid, with total obligations reaching USD260 million.

A State Department spokesperson defended the administration’s position, claiming that the WHO’s failures have cost Americans trillions of dollars.

The official announced that President Trump has exercised his authority to halt all future transfers of government funds, support, and resources to the organization.

The spokesperson added that “the American people have paid more than enough to this organization and this economic hit is beyond a down payment on any financial obligations.”

Legal Concerns and Unfinished Business

Lawrence Gostin, founding director of the O’Neill Institute for Global Health Law at Georgetown University, characterized the situation bluntly as “a clear violation of US law.”

However, he acknowledged that Trump appears “highly likely to get away with it.”

Trump administration officials have admitted they have not yet resolved several critical issues arising from the withdrawal, including lost access to data from other countries that could provide early warnings of emerging pandemics.

WHO Faces Budget Crisis

The departure has triggered a severe financial crisis for the WHO, as the United States has historically been its largest financial backer, contributing approximately 18% of its overall funding.

In response to losing this support, the organization has slashed its management team in half and scaled back operations across multiple programs. The agency plans to reduce its workforce by roughly one quarter by mid-year.

Global Health Leaders Express Concern

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly called for reconsideration of the decision.

At a press briefing earlier this month, he stated his hope that “the US will reconsider and rejoin WHO,” adding that the withdrawal represents “a loss for the United States, and it’s a loss for the rest of the world.”

Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation and a major funder of global health initiatives, shared his pessimistic outlook while speaking at Davos.

Gates told reporters he does not expect “the US will be coming back to WHO in the near future,” though he pledged to advocate for rejoining when opportunities arise.

He emphasized that “the world needs the World Health Organization.”

Broader Implications for Global Health

The WHO serves as a specialized health agency mandated to coordinate international preparedness for disease outbreaks including mpox, Ebola, and polio.

The organization provides technical assistance to developing nations, helps distribute scarce vaccines, and establishes guidelines for hundreds of health conditions ranging from mental health to cancer treatment.

Kelly Henning, public health program lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies, warned about the consequences of this decision.

She explained that “the US withdrawal from WHO could weaken the systems and collaborations the world relies on to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats.”

Global health experts have consistently cautioned throughout the past year that this departure will severely impact both American and international capabilities to address disease outbreaks and health emergencies.

Next Steps Remain Unclear

Member states are scheduled to discuss the American departure and determine how to handle the situation during the WHO’s executive board meeting in February.

A WHO spokesperson indicated that the agency has maintained collaboration and information sharing with the United States over the past year, though the future of this cooperation remains uncertain following the official withdrawal.