United States Formally Severs Ties with World Health Organization as of January 2026

On January 22, 2026, the United States of America officially concluded its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). This historic departure finalized a formal process set in motion by an executive order from Donald Trump at the beginning of his second presidential term. Consequently, all American federal funding for the WHO has been terminated, and US personnel, including contractors, have been recalled from the organization’s Geneva headquarters and various international field offices. This move effectively halts or dissolves hundreds of collaborative initiatives and programs that had been established over decades.

This landmark decision marks the second time within a single decade that Washington has moved to exit the global health body. The initial attempt occurred in July 2020, when the Trump administration first announced a severance of membership, citing what it described as an "inadequate" response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a perceived over-reliance on data provided by China. Although President Joe Biden paused this withdrawal process upon taking office in 2021, the notification was reactivated immediately following Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later solidified the administration's stance, pointing to "irreparable structural problems" within the WHO as the primary justification for the final exit.

The White House has leveled several serious accusations against the WHO, including a loss of institutional independence and chronic bureaucratic inefficiency. Despite being the organization's largest financial contributor—providing approximately $1.3 billion during the 2022–2023 period, which accounted for roughly 16% of the total budget—the US claims the WHO has become a vehicle for Beijing’s geopolitical interests. Administration officials argued that the body is no longer capable of managing global health crises, such as emerging pandemics or regional epidemics in Africa. President Trump characterized the departure as a definitive "step toward American healthcare sovereignty," emphasizing a shift away from multilateral oversight.

The operational and financial ramifications of this exit are significant, as Washington leaves the organization with an unpaid debt of $260 million in membership dues for the 2024–2025 cycle. This outstanding balance has drawn sharp criticism from officials in Geneva. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has issued warnings regarding the potential collapse of critical global health initiatives, specifically those targeting HIV, malaria, and polio, as well as the international surveillance systems used to track infectious diseases. With the WHO’s budget expected to contract by nearly one-third, the burden will likely fall on developing nations, though China and the European Union have indicated a willingness to provide partial funding to bridge the deficit.

International reactions to the US withdrawal have been deeply polarized. While Russia and its strategic partners have viewed the move as a necessary "signal for reform," critics in Europe and within the United Nations express grave concerns over the potential fragmentation of global health governance. In response to these fears, the Trump administration has maintained that the United States will pivot its resources toward direct bilateral assistance, bypassing what it deems "inefficient" international structures. The contentious issue of the $260 million debt is slated for formal deliberation during the World Health Assembly scheduled for May 2026.