US Formally Exits WHO Under Trump Order, Rules Out Rejoining

After months of warnings from global health experts that the move could endanger both domestic and international Public health, the United States on Thursday formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). The decision was justified by the Trump administration as a response to what it described as the agency’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the very first day of his second presidency in 2025, initiating the process to remove the United States from the UN-affiliated health body. The order marked a dramatic shift in US global health policy and set in motion a year-long withdrawal period mandated by US law.

In a joint statement, the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and State confirmed that Washington would now work with the WHO only to the limited extent required to finalize the withdrawal process.

“We have no plans to participate as an observer, and we have no plans of rejoining,” a senior US government health official said. Instead, the administration has signaled that it will pursue bilateral and regional public health collaborations directly with other countries, particularly in areas such as disease surveillance, outbreak response, and health data sharing.

Dispute Over Outstanding US Payments

Under US law, withdrawal from the WHO requires a one-year notice period and the settlement of all outstanding financial obligations. Those unpaid dues reportedly total nearly $260 million.

However, a senior State Department official challenged the interpretation that payment is legally required before withdrawal can be finalized.

“The American people have paid more than enough,” the official said in an email response early Thursday, reflecting the administration’s long-standing criticism of the organization’s funding structure.

In a document released the same day, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that all US financial support to the WHO has been halted. An HHS spokesperson stated that President Trump exercised his authority to stop future fund transfers, arguing that the WHO’s actions during the pandemic had cost the United States trillions of dollars.

Witnesses in Geneva reported that the US flag was removed from outside WHO headquarters on Thursday, a symbolic moment marking the end of America’s formal membership in the organization.

The US departure from the WHO follows a broader pattern of disengagement from several UN-affiliated bodies in recent weeks. Some analysts have raised concerns that Trump’s newly announced Board of Peace initiative could further undermine the role and relevance of the United Nations system.

Notably, an internal proposal reviewed by the Trump administration last year had recommended pushing for reform and stronger American leadership within the WHO. Other critics of the organization have gone further, suggesting that an entirely new global health agency should be created to replace it.

Unlikely to Rejoin Anytime Soon

Over the past year, global health leaders — including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus — have repeatedly urged the United States to reconsider its decision.

According to the WHO, the US has not paid its assessed contributions for 2024 and 2025. A WHO spokesperson confirmed that the organization’s executive board will formally discuss the US exit and its implications during its February meeting.

Lawrence Gostin, founding director of the O’Neill Institute for Global Health Law at Georgetown University, described the withdrawal as legally questionable.

“This is a clear violation of US law,” Gostin said. “But it’s very likely that Trump will get away with it.”

Speaking to Reuters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bill Gates — chair of the Gates Foundation and one of the world’s largest funders of global health initiatives – said he did not expect the United States to reverse course in the near future.

Gates emphasized that he would continue advocating for US re-entry, stating, “The World Health Organization is essential to the world.”

What the US Exit Means for Global Health

The WHO has already begun restructuring in response to the financial shock triggered by the US withdrawal. The organization has cut its executive leadership team in half, scaled back several programs, and reduced overall funding.

Historically, the United States contributed roughly 18% of the WHO’s total budget, making it by far the organization’s largest donor. As a result of the funding gap, the WHO plans to lay off nearly 25% of its workforce by mid-year.

Despite the withdrawal, the WHO said it has continued to collaborate and share information with US health agencies over the past year. However, officials acknowledged that the future of this cooperation remains uncertain.

Global health experts warn that the decision carries significant risks not only for the WHO, but for the United States and the broader international community.

“The US withdrawal from WHO could weaken the systems and collaborations the world relies on to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats,” said Kelly Henning, public health program lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies.

As the world faces growing risks from pandemics, climate-related health crises, and emerging diseases, the long-term impact of America’s absence from the WHO is likely to remain a subject of intense global debate.