Trump May Reconsider US Exit from WHO, Demands Reform Before Rejoining

The ongoing global health challenges, particularly those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to major shifts in international cooperation. One notable shift in U.S. foreign policy occurred during President Donald Trump’s first term in office, when the United States decided to exit the World Health Organization (WHO). This move, driven by Trump’s dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of the pandemic and its perceived bias toward China, raised questions about the future of the global health body and its relations with the United States. However, in an unexpected turn of events, President Trump recently suggested that he may consider rejoining the WHO, should significant reforms be undertaken by the organization.

This potential shift comes at a time when global cooperation in health has never been more important. As the U.S. is set to formally leave the WHO by January 22, 2026, the president’s remarks at a rally in Las Vegas have sparked speculation about the future direction of U.S. involvement in global health efforts. This article will explore the reasons behind the U.S. withdrawal, Trump’s recent comments regarding rejoining the WHO, and the implications for global health governance.

The U.S. Withdrawal from the WHO

In 2020, President Trump announced that the United States would be withdrawing from the World Health Organization, a decision that shocked many within the international community. The move came in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted global concerns about the spread of the virus and the effectiveness of international health measures. Trump’s administration was particularly critical of the WHO’s early handling of the pandemic, accusing the organization of being overly deferential to China and of failing to act swiftly enough in addressing the crisis.

One of the key grievances voiced by President Trump was the WHO’s response to China’s initial handling of the outbreak, which he claimed was inadequate. Trump argued that China had downplayed the severity of the outbreak, leading to delays in implementing critical measures that could have slowed the spread of the virus. Additionally, Trump expressed frustration that the WHO had not pushed China to be more transparent in its reporting of the outbreak, which he believed contributed to the global spread of COVID-19.

Beyond the pandemic, Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO was also influenced by his broader foreign policy approach, which emphasized “America First” and sought to reduce U.S. financial contributions to international organizations. At the time of the announcement, the United States was the largest financial contributor to the WHO, contributing around 18% of its overall funding. In contrast, China, which has a much larger population, contributed significantly less, which became a point of contention for President Trump.

Trump’s Recent Remarks: “Maybe We Would Consider Doing It Again”

Fast forward to January 2025, and President Trump has made surprising comments that suggest he may reconsider the U.S.’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization. During a rally in Las Vegas, Trump hinted that he might be open to rejoining the global health body, provided certain reforms were made.

“Maybe we would consider doing it again, I don’t know. Maybe we would. They would have to clean it up,” Trump remarked, referring to the WHO’s management and organizational practices. This statement comes after a series of criticisms directed at the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as its broader role in global health governance. Trump’s willingness to reconsider U.S. membership in the WHO marks a significant shift in his rhetoric, indicating that he may be open to engaging with international health organizations if reforms are implemented.

The statement is noteworthy not only because of its potential implications for U.S. foreign policy but also because it highlights the ongoing dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of global health issues. Despite the criticisms, however, Trump’s willingness to re-engage with the organization shows a recognition of the importance of global cooperation in tackling health crises.

The U.S.‘s Financial Contributions to the WHO

One of the primary reasons behind the U.S.’s decision to withdraw from the WHO was the organization’s financial structure and the disproportionate financial burden borne by the United States. As the largest contributor to the WHO, the U.S. has consistently provided substantial funding to support the organization’s initiatives, research, and global health programs.

The WHO’s budget for the 2024-2025 period is $6.8 billion, with the United States contributing approximately 18% of that amount. Trump’s administration argued that the U.S. was contributing far more to the WHO than other countries, particularly China, which has a much larger population but contributes significantly less. This imbalance in financial contributions was a source of frustration for the Trump administration, which felt that the U.S. was shouldering an unfair portion of the financial burden.

Trump’s remarks at the Las Vegas rally echoed this sentiment, as he expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that the U.S. was contributing more to the WHO than China. He argued that the U.S. should not be required to pay a larger share than other countries, especially given the growing influence of China on the global stage. This financial disparity became one of the key drivers behind the decision to withdraw from the WHO, and it remains a point of contention as Trump considers the possibility of rejoining the organization.

Trump’s Criticism of China’s Role in the WHO

Another key factor in the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO was the perceived influence of China over the organization. President Trump and his administration were particularly critical of the WHO’s close relationship with China, accusing the organization of being overly deferential to the Chinese government. Trump argued that the WHO’s failure to hold China accountable for its initial mishandling of the COVID-19 outbreak contributed to the global spread of the virus.

At the time of the U.S.’s withdrawal, Trump suggested that the WHO had been “China-centric” in its approach to global health issues and that the organization had failed to challenge China’s actions effectively. This criticism was based on the belief that the WHO had been too willing to accept China’s assurances about the virus, which ultimately delayed the international response.

Given the central role that China plays in the global health landscape, it is unlikely that the WHO will significantly alter its relationship with China in the near future. However, Trump’s recent comments suggest that he may be willing to reconsider the U.S.’s position if the WHO makes meaningful changes to address concerns about its handling of global health issues and its relationship with China.

The Path Forward: Will the U.S. Rejoin the WHO?

As the U.S. is scheduled to formally leave the World Health Organization by January 22, 2026, questions remain about whether President Trump will follow through on his comments about potentially rejoining the organization. While his recent remarks indicate a willingness to reconsider the U.S.’s membership, it is unclear what specific reforms would need to take place for Trump to approve the decision.

Rejoining the WHO would likely require significant changes to the organization’s structure and its approach to global health governance. These reforms could include greater transparency in the WHO’s decision-making processes, stronger oversight of China’s actions, and a more equitable distribution of financial contributions among member countries.

Additionally, any potential U.S. reentry into the WHO would also depend on the political landscape in Washington, as the next presidential election could result in a shift in priorities and attitudes toward international organizations. Should Trump be re-elected, his comments about rejoining the WHO could lead to a renewed effort to reform the organization and address the concerns that led to the U.S.’s withdrawal in the first place.

The Future of U.S.-WHO Relations

President Trump’s comments about potentially rejoining the World Health Organization mark a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the realm of global health. While the U.S. is scheduled to formally leave the WHO by 2026, Trump’s recent remarks indicate that he may be open to reconsidering the decision if certain reforms are implemented within the organization. The outcome of this potential re-engagement will depend on the WHO’s willingness to address concerns about its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its relationship with China, and its financial structure.

As global health challenges continue to evolve, the need for international cooperation in addressing issues such as pandemics, disease prevention, and health equity has never been greater. Whether or not the U.S. re-enters the WHO, the discussions surrounding the future of global health governance will continue to shape the trajectory of international collaboration for years to come.