After months of relational unrest, President Trump has finally withdrawn the United States from WHO.
On Monday, July 6, the Trump administration formally resigned from the WHO due to their mishandling of the novel Coronavirus. Trump froze funding to WHO in April ($400 million annually) and in May announced he was “terminating” the United States’ relationship with the organization if WHO did not make drastic changes in 30 days.
Withdrawal takes 12 months, meaning that if Trump’s rival Joe Biden clinches the presidency, he can (and said he will) reverse the withdrawal.
Some leaders have praised the move, even since April and May, saying that WHO enabled China to withhold vital information about the coronavirus earlier this year. Rep. James Comer from Kentucky blamed WHO for so many American casualties from COVID-19, saying they allowed the Chinese to spread misinformation.
A few Democrats are not so happy about the split. In a tweet that broke the news on Tuesday, New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez said, “To call Trump’s response to COVID chaotic & incoherent doesn’t do it justice. This won’t protect American lives or interests — it leaves Americans sick & America alone.”
