Trump's team plans to withdraw US from WHO on Inauguration Day - FT
The team of US President-elect Donald Trump insists on withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization. This may happen on the day of his inauguration, January 20, reports Financial Times.
The US withdrawal will deprive the WHO of its largest source of funding, and prevent the organization from responding to health crises, such as the coronavirus pandemic.
The United States provided about 16% of WHO funding in 2022-2023.
Experts believe that such a decision would be “catastrophic” for global health. According to experts, Trump may not attach the same importance to this idea as his transition team.
Back in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump wanted the United States to withdraw from the WHO. He said the organization was allegedly controlled by China. The United States remained a member of the World Health Organization as Trump was replaced by Joe Biden as president.
This time some members of Trump's team want to move much faster in this direction.
Donald Trump has nominated a candidate for the position of Health Secretary in his administration. He wants to appoint Robert Kennedy Jr. to this post.
Media say that such a move would be quite provocative, as Kennedy opposed vaccination, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.