The United States is set to officially withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday, a move that has sparked warnings about potential repercussions for both domestic and global health. The decision also raises legal concerns, as U.S. law requires Washington to pay the WHO approximately $260 million in outstanding fees before departure.
President Donald Trump first signaled his intention to leave the organization on the first day of his 2025 presidency through an executive order. U.S. law mandates a one-year notice and the settlement of all dues prior to withdrawal.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated on Thursday that the WHO’s handling of global health information and response measures had cost the U.S. “trillions of dollars,” and that the president had exercised his authority to halt the future transfer of U.S. government funds, support, or resources to the agency.
“The American people have contributed more than enough to this organization, and this economic decision exceeds any financial obligations owed,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Quick Reversal Unlikely
Global health experts have repeatedly urged reconsideration of the U.S. withdrawal. Most recently, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the consequences, stating, “I hope the U.S. will reconsider and rejoin WHO. Withdrawing from the WHO is a loss for the United States and a loss for the rest of the world.”
The WHO has noted that the U.S. has yet to pay its fees for 2024 and 2025. Member states are expected to discuss the U.S. departure and its implications at the WHO Executive Board meeting in February.
Lawrence Gostin, founding director of the O’Neill Institute for Global Health Law at Georgetown University, described the move as “a clear violation of U.S. law,” but acknowledged that Trump is “highly likely to get away with it.”
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, a key funder of global health initiatives including some WHO programs, said he did not anticipate a near-term reversal. “I don’t expect the U.S. to return to WHO in the near future,” he said, adding that he would continue advocating for U.S. engagement. “The world needs the World Health Organization.”
Implications of the Departure
The U.S. exit has triggered a budgetary crisis for the WHO, forcing it to halve its management team and scale back programs across the agency. Historically, the U.S. has been the WHO’s largest contributor, providing roughly 18% of its total funding.
The WHO also expects to reduce its staff by about a quarter by mid-2026. While the agency has maintained information-sharing and collaboration with the U.S. over the past year, the framework for future cooperation remains uncertain.
Experts warn that the U.S. withdrawal could undermine global health security. “The U.S. withdrawal from WHO could weaken the systems and collaborations the world relies on to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats,” said Kelly Henning, public health program lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies.