US Completes Withdrawal from World Health Organization, Citing Pandemic Mishandling and Funding Imbalances

 

Trump signed Executive Order 14155 on January 20, 2025—his first day in office during his second term—directing the U.S. to withdraw from the Geneva-based agency. The order revived a similar effort from his first term in 2020, which had been reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021.

In the 2025 executive order, the administration justified the move by accusing the WHO of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic "that arose out of Wuhan, China," failing to implement needed reforms, and showing undue political influence from certain member states. It also highlighted what it described as disproportionate U.S. financial contributions compared to other nations, such as China.

U.S. law, stemming from the 1948 joint congressional resolution authorizing WHO membership, requires one year's notice for withdrawal. The Trump administration provided that notice through the executive order, and on January 22, 2026, federal officials from the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and State confirmed the exit was complete. U.S. personnel were recalled from WHO offices, funding was terminated, and future collaboration will be limited to transitional matters.

The WHO has expressed regret over the decision and noted the U.S. as a founding member and major contributor. However, disputes persist: The U.S. owes approximately $260–278 million in unpaid dues for 2024–2025, a condition some interpretations of U.S. law and WHO rules require for a full withdrawal. The Trump administration has stated it has no intention of paying these before exiting, arguing the costs from the WHO's alleged failures have already been too high. The WHO's executive board is expected to discuss the matter further, including the U.S. status and financial obligations.

Health experts have raised concerns about the implications, warning that the withdrawal could hinder global coordination on pandemics, infectious disease surveillance, and emergency responses—potentially affecting both U.S. and international public health security. The U.S. maintains it will pursue global health leadership through bilateral partnerships, private sector engagement, and other channels.

This marks the first time a major nation has withdrawn from the WHO since its founding in 1948. The move fulfills a long-standing Trump administration priority but leaves open questions about data sharing, outbreak early warnings, and the future of multilateral health governance.