The United States is set to officially leave the World Health Organization on Thursday, one year after President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office directing the withdrawal.
Trump’s order formally notified the United Nations health agency of the U.S. intent to exit. Under U.S. law, withdrawal requires a one-year notice period and payment of all outstanding financial obligations before departure can take effect.
A State Department spokesperson said Thursday the administration determined the WHO’s failure to contain outbreaks and share information had cost the United States trillions of dollars. The spokesperson said the president exercised his authority to halt any future transfer of U.S. government funds, support, or resources to the organization, adding that Americans have already paid more than enough to the agency.
The planned exit has triggered a financial crisis at the WHO, which has cut its management team in half, reduced programs across the agency, and is preparing to eliminate roughly a quarter of its workforce by midyear. The United States has historically been the organization’s largest donor, providing about 18 percent of its total funding.
