United States finalizes withdrawal from World Health Organization

The United States has officially severed its ties with the World Health Organization, marking the end of its nearly eight-decade-long role as a founding member of the United Nations' global health agency. The withdrawal, which took effect on January 22, 2026, concludes a process initiated by the Trump administration over profound disagreements regarding the organization's performance and governance.

Official rationale: Pandemic failures and political bias

In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the completion of the withdrawal. They justified the decision by pointing to what they characterized as the WHO's significant failures during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically its handling of the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. The officials accused the agency of pursuing a "politicized and bureaucratic agenda," obstructing timely information sharing, and acting against U.S. interests under the influence of hostile nations.

A long-standing critique culminates in action

President Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of the WHO since the early days of the pandemic. He repeatedly accused the organization of mishandling the crisis, being unduly influenced by China, disseminating inaccurate information from Beijing, and politicizing the global response. Trump also argued that the U.S. shouldered an unfair financial burden, contributing far more than other member states without receiving equitable treatment. These grievances culminated in the formal notification of withdrawal in 2025, triggering the one-year waiting period required under international rules.

Immediate consequences and international reaction

With the departure now complete, all U.S. funding and staffing for WHO initiatives have ceased. American personnel have been recalled, and the administration stated that future U.S. engagement will be limited strictly to completing the withdrawal process. The focus has shifted to direct bilateral partnerships and independent approaches to global health. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly expressed regret over the decision, calling it a "lose-lose situation." The move represents a major shift in global health governance and leaves a significant funding gap, potentially impacting worldwide disease surveillance and response capabilities. It also underscores a growing trend of questioning multilateral institutions, a dynamic observed by nations like Türkiye, which value both international cooperation and the reform of global systems to ensure fairness and effectiveness.