Trump Transition Team Plans US Withdrawal from WHO in Second Term

Trump’s plans align with his history of criticism of the UN health agency, which he has accused of failing to hold China accountable for its handling of the early stages of COVID-19.

Donald Trump’s presidential transition team is reportedly preparing to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) if he secures a second term, potentially as early as his first day in office.

Lawrence Gostin, professor of global health at Georgetown University and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law, disclosed the plans.

“I have it on good authority that he plans to withdraw, probably on Day One or very early in his administration,” said Gostin.

The Financial Times first reported the development, citing two experts, including former White House COVID-19 response coordinator Ashish Jha, who was unavailable for comment. Trump’s team has not issued a response to requests for clarification.

Longstanding Criticism of the WHO

Trump’s plans align with his history of criticism of the UN health agency, which he has accused of failing to hold China accountable for its handling of the early stages of COVID-19.

He has repeatedly referred to the WHO as being overly influenced by Beijing, vowing to redirect US contributions toward domestic health initiatives instead.

In 2020, Trump initiated a year-long withdrawal process from the WHO, but the move was reversed six months later by his successor, President Joe Biden.

Trump has since nominated several WHO critics for key health positions, including vaccine skeptic Robert F Kennedy Jr. as a candidate for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Global & Domestic Implications

A US withdrawal would mark a significant shift in the country’s global health policy and could leave Washington isolated from international efforts to combat pandemics.

Critics warn that the move could weaken global disease surveillance and emergency response systems.

"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," said Gostin.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declined to comment directly on Trump’s plans but previously addressed concerns at a Dec 10 press briefing.

He stated that the WHO would give the US “time and space for the transition” and expressed optimism that member states could finalize a global pandemic agreement by May 2025.

Trump’s potential withdrawal could represent a significant setback for international health cooperation, especially in the wake of ongoing pandemic preparedness initiatives.

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