The United States will leave the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 22, 2026, the UN said after being officially notified of the decision by President Donald Trump, who has accused the agency of mishandling the coronavirus pandemic and other international health crises, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Trump announced the move on Monday, hours after being sworn in for a second four-year term. The WHO said on Tuesday it regretted the decision by its largest donor country.
Trump must give one year's notice of the US withdrawal from the Geneva-based body and pay Washington's dues under a joint resolution of the US Congress since 1948.
The United States is the largest financial supporter of the WHO, contributing about 18% of its total funding. The WHO's last two-year budget for 2024-2025 was $6.8 billion.
“I can confirm that we have already received the US letter regarding the withdrawal from the WHO. It is dated January 22, 2025. It will take effect one year from yesterday, January 22, 2026,” said UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.
The withdrawal order signed by Trump says the administration will suspend negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty while the withdrawal is in progress. U.S. government personnel working with the WHO will be recalled and reassigned, and the government will seek partners to take over the WHO’s necessary activities, according to the order.
Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO was not unexpected. He took steps to leave the body in 2020 during his first term as president. Before the U.S. withdrawal was completed for the final time, Joe Biden won the presidential election and reversed the policy on his first day in office on January 20, 2021.