One Year On: Trump’s WHO Withdrawal Takes Effect as Global Health Community Counts the Cost
Exactly one year after United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order pulling America out of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the decision officially takes effect on Thursday, marking a major shift in global health cooperation and international diplomacy.
According to the agreement governing the relationship between the United States and the Geneva-based UN agency, a mandatory one-year notice period must be completed before withdrawal becomes legally binding. That deadline now expires, sealing America’s exit despite lingering financial and diplomatic controversies surrounding the decision.
Akahi News gathered that although one of the technical conditions for withdrawal — full settlement of outstanding contributions — was not met, the WHO lacks legal mechanisms to compel payment or block the exit.
The United States reportedly owes close to $280 million in unpaid membership fees for 2024 and 2025, further deepening the financial strain on the global health body.
WHO Appeals for Reconsideration as Cooperation Weakens
Reacting to the development in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed deep regret over the withdrawal and appealed for renewed cooperation.
“I hope that the US will reconsider its decision and rejoin WHO,” Ghebreyesus said, warning that the move creates losses not only for America but also for the global community.
“Withdrawal is a loss for the US and also a loss for the rest of the world,” he added, stressing that the issue is not primarily about funding but about solidarity, shared responsibility, and coordinated global action.
Akahi News learnt that the WHO plays a critical role in early warning systems for infectious disease outbreaks, monitoring emerging health threats and coordinating international responses. It also leads the global process for determining the composition of seasonal influenza vaccines by analysing circulating pathogens worldwide.
With the US now absent from these programmes, the international community loses access to significant American scientific expertise, surveillance data, and research contributions — a gap health analysts fear could weaken preparedness for future pandemics.
Trump’s Longstanding Dispute with the WHO
Mr Trump’s strained relationship with the WHO dates back to the height of the coronavirus pandemic. During his first term, he accused the organisation of mismanaging the global response and misusing funds, alleging institutional bias and inefficiency.
Although he initially attempted to withdraw the US from the organisation, the process was halted when President Joe Biden assumed office before the one-year notice period elapsed. Mr Biden promptly reversed the decision and restored America’s participation.
However, following Mr Trump’s return to the White House, the withdrawal order was reinstated. The administration subsequently declined to pay outstanding membership contributions, accelerating the financial and operational impact on the WHO.
For decades, the United States had been the organisation’s largest single contributor, often paying well beyond its fixed membership obligations and accounting for more than 15 per cent of the WHO’s total budget in some years.
Akahi News gathered that this consistent funding had enabled the WHO to sustain emergency responses, research coordination, vaccination programmes, and technical support for low-income nations.
Financial Shock Forces WHO into Austerity
The loss of US funding has forced the WHO into a strict austerity programme, reshaping its operational structure and staffing capacity.
By mid-2026, the organisation’s workforce is projected to shrink by approximately 20 per cent, dropping to about 7,300 employees compared to early 2025 levels. The overall budget has also been reduced by a similar margin, affecting programme delivery, research investments, and field operations.
Observers noted that while other donor countries may attempt to bridge portions of the funding gap, replacing the scale and consistency of US contributions remains a significant challenge.
Public health experts warn that prolonged funding constraints could weaken disease surveillance networks, delay emergency responses, and slow progress on global vaccination and prevention initiatives — risks that extend beyond borders.
Global Implications and Uncertain Future
Analysts believe the withdrawal sends a symbolic message about shifting US foreign policy priorities and multilateral engagement. Beyond financial consequences, the move raises questions about how global health governance will adapt without one of its historically strongest contributors.
Akahi News gathered that several diplomatic and health stakeholders continue to lobby for renewed engagement, arguing that pandemics, climate-related health threats, and emerging diseases require collective action rather than isolation.
While the legal withdrawal now takes effect, the door remains open for future administrations to reverse the decision should political priorities change. Until then, both the WHO and its member states must navigate a leaner operational environment amid growing global health risks.
As the world reflects on the first anniversary of the controversial decision, the broader lesson remains clear: in an interconnected world, health security is only as strong as the cooperation that sustains it.
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By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
Akahi News www.akahinews.org
