United States to Withdraw from WHO

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The United States will leave the World Health Organization on Jan. 22, 2026, following a formal notification by President Donald Trump. Trump has accused the agency of mishandling the pandemic and other international health crises.

Trump announced this decision on Monday after being sworn in for a second term. The WHO expressed regret over the impending withdrawal from its top donor country.

As per a 1948 joint resolution of the U.S. Congress, Trump must provide a one-year notice and pay dues. The U.S. contributes about 18% of WHO’s total funding. The organization’s latest two-year budget for 2024-2025 stands at $6.8 billion, but the exact amount owed by the U.S. is unclear.

Deputy U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed receiving the U.S. withdrawal letter, dated 22 January 2025. The departure is expected to jeopardize various WHO programs, particularly those for tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other health emergencies.

The withdrawal order states that while the process is underway, the administration will cease negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty. U.S. personnel working with the WHO will be recalled, and the government will seek partners for essential WHO activities.

Trump’s action to withdraw was anticipated, as he had previously attempted to exit the organization in 2020. However, this attempt was halted when Joe Biden won the presidential election and reversed the decision on his first day in office, Jan. 20, 2021.