Trump transition team plans immediate WHO withdrawal, expert says [View all]
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-transition-team-plans-immediate-who-withdrawal-expert-says-2024-12-23/
WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Members of Donald Trump's presidential transition team are laying the groundwork for the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization on the first day of his second term, according to a health law expert familiar with the discussions.
"I have it on good authority that he plans to withdraw, probably on Day One or very early in his administration," said Lawrence Gostin, professor of global health at Georgetown University in Washington and director of the WHO Collaborating Center on National and Global Health Law.
...
Trump initiated the year-long withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020 but six months later his successor, President Joe Biden, reversed the decision.
...
Critics warn that a U.S. withdrawal could undermine global disease surveillance and emergency response systems.
"The U.S. would lose influence and clout in global health and China would fill the vacuum. I can't imagine a world without a robust WHO. But U.S. withdrawal would severely weaken the agency," Gostin said.