The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Thursday, achieving a long-standing objective of former President Donald Trump. The process began during Trump’s first term, with formal notice issued on the first day of his second term. U.S. law required a one-year notice period and the settlement of outstanding financial obligations before the withdrawal could take effect. The U.S. still owes the WHO roughly $260 million, though experts say the organization has little power to enforce payment.
“As a matter of law, the United States cannot officially withdraw without paying its debts,” explained Dr. Lawrence Gostin, a global health law expert at Georgetown University. “But WHO has no authority to force payment.” The organization could attempt to block the withdrawal through a formal resolution, but it is unlikely to escalate tensions given the administration’s determination.
HHS confirmed that all U.S. funding to WHO has ended, and all American personnel and contractors assigned to the organization have been recalled. The United States has also stopped participating in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership bodies, governance structures, and technical working groups. Some limited cooperation may continue. Officials are still in discussions regarding U.S. participation in an upcoming WHO meeting on next year’s influenza vaccine composition.
A senior administration official told reporters that the United States had not received sufficient value from its involvement with WHO. “A promise made and a promise kept,” the official said, adding that the organization “acted contrary to U.S. interests in protecting the American public.” The official also noted that despite being the largest financial contributor, the U.S. has never had an American serve as WHO director-general.
HHS cited the WHO’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic as a key reason for the withdrawal, highlighting delays in declaring a global public health emergency, praise of China’s early handling of the outbreak despite underreporting, and initial downplaying of airborne and asymptomatic transmission. “This action means our country’s health policies can no longer be constrained by unaccountable foreign bureaucrats,” a senior HHS official said.
Despite leaving WHO, the U.S. plans to remain active in global health through direct engagement with individual countries, NGOs, and religious organizations, coordinated by the CDC Global Health Center. Administration officials said measures are in place to address potential gaps in infectious disease surveillance.
Public health experts warned that bypassing WHO coordination could create gaps in global monitoring and response. A former CDC official noted that while the agency operates in about 60 countries, it cannot replace WHO’s global reach. Critics cautioned that the withdrawal may leave the U.S. and the world more vulnerable to emerging biological threats. Dr. Ronald Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called the decision “shortsighted and misguided,” potentially undermining global health commitments.
