President Donald Trump threatened to permanently freeze US funding to WHO

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to the World Health Organization (WHO), threatening to permanently freeze US funding unless the organization makes “substantive improvements” within the next 30 days. This announcement comes after the US had already suspended payments to the WHO in mid-April, with the Trump administration accusing the organization of being excessively aligned with Beijing and mishandling the global coronavirus response.

On Monday, President Trump took to Twitter to share images of a letter he sent to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Trump described the letter as “self-explanatory,” detailing several grievances regarding the WHO's actions during the pandemic. The letter highlighted alleged failures, including the organization's purported disregard for early reports of the virus's emergence and an overreliance on information from China.

“It is clear the repeated missteps by you and your organization in responding to the pandemic have been extremely costly for the world. The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China,” Trump stated in the letter. He further warned that if the WHO did not commit to major substantive improvements within the stipulated 30-day period, the US would make its temporary funding freeze permanent and reconsider its membership in the organization.

The letter marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s criticism of the WHO. Previously, Washington had suspended funding, citing concerns over the organization's transparency and its handling of the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. The Trump administration has repeatedly claimed that the WHO failed to hold China accountable for its early handling of the virus, thereby contributing to the global spread of COVID-19.

In response to the growing international criticism, the WHO announced on Monday that it would initiate an independent review of its response to the pandemic. During a virtual assembly, Director-General Tedros acknowledged that there had been shortcomings in the organization’s response and expressed his support for the review. “We all have lessons to learn from the pandemic. Every country and every organization must examine its response and learn from its experience,” Tedros told the assembly.

The WHO’s decision to launch an independent review comes amid increasing calls for accountability and transparency. Several member states have urged the organization to conduct a thorough evaluation of its actions during the pandemic, with a focus on improving global health governance and preparedness for future outbreaks.

The tension between the US and the WHO has raised concerns about the potential impact on global health initiatives. The United States has historically been the largest contributor to the WHO, providing approximately $400 million annually. A permanent withdrawal of US funding could significantly undermine the organization’s ability to combat health crises worldwide, particularly in low-income countries that rely on WHO support for essential health services.

As the deadline set by President Trump approaches, the international community will be closely watching the WHO’s actions and the US administration’s response. The outcome of this standoff could have far-reaching implications for global health diplomacy and the future role of international organizations in managing pandemics.

In the meantime, the WHO continues to lead efforts to coordinate the global response to COVID-19, working with countries to strengthen health systems, conduct research, and ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines and treatments. The independent review, once conducted, will likely play a crucial role in shaping the organization’s strategies and policies moving forward.