The United States has officially left the World Health Organization (WHO), leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid bills, as reported by Stat News. The move came into effect immediately after the Trump administration announced its intention to exit the WHO last year.
A one-year notice period was mandated in a 1948 joint resolution of Congress before the US would officially withdraw. However, with the Biden administration rescinding the withdrawal on January 20th, well before the deadline expired, that timeline never materialized.
The US has refused to pay its financial obligations, including $278 million in dues for its 2024-25 membership, according to Stat News. These dues are a percentage of each member state's GDP and cover the country's two-year budget cycle. The payments were supposed to be made through the State Department's international agencies bureau.
The Trump administration cited complaints about the agency's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, dues payments, and alleged protection of China as reasons for its withdrawal. In response, a spokesperson stated that the US will not make any further payments to WHO before its official withdrawal date on January 22, 2026.
The loss of financial support from the US has had significant consequences for the WHO. The agency began cutting costs immediately upon notification last year, including freezing recruitment and travel expenses, and limiting IT equipment updates. Staff numbers are expected to decline by 22% by mid-year, according to Stat News.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the US withdrawal as a "lose-lose situation" for both countries, warning that global health security would be weakened overall.
A one-year notice period was mandated in a 1948 joint resolution of Congress before the US would officially withdraw. However, with the Biden administration rescinding the withdrawal on January 20th, well before the deadline expired, that timeline never materialized.
The US has refused to pay its financial obligations, including $278 million in dues for its 2024-25 membership, according to Stat News. These dues are a percentage of each member state's GDP and cover the country's two-year budget cycle. The payments were supposed to be made through the State Department's international agencies bureau.
The Trump administration cited complaints about the agency's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, dues payments, and alleged protection of China as reasons for its withdrawal. In response, a spokesperson stated that the US will not make any further payments to WHO before its official withdrawal date on January 22, 2026.
The loss of financial support from the US has had significant consequences for the WHO. The agency began cutting costs immediately upon notification last year, including freezing recruitment and travel expenses, and limiting IT equipment updates. Staff numbers are expected to decline by 22% by mid-year, according to Stat News.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the US withdrawal as a "lose-lose situation" for both countries, warning that global health security would be weakened overall.
. I mean, back in my day, we used to think of our country's international contributions as a way to give back to the world. Now it seems like it's all about what's in it for us 
. The fact that they're not paying their dues is just crazy talk 
. And what's with this "lose-lose situation" comment from Tedros? Sounds like something my grandma used to say, you know when she was worried about the economy 
. Anyway, I'm sure it'll all work out in the end... but still, it's a shame what's happening to the WHO 
.
and how can they just walk away from this the world needs the funding for the pandemic and stuff 
... But on another hand, I think it's kinda reckless of them to just leave without paying their dues 
... Like, thousands of millions of dollars are at stake here 
... Or maybe not? 
I mean, if the US is really that unhappy with the WHO, maybe they should just create their own global health agency instead of trying to sabotage ours 
... But then again, I don't think that's a great idea either 
... Ugh, my mind is all over the place today 
...
anyway this just shows how self centered countries are & the rest of us gotta foot the bill 
I guess that's just politics for you, though. It's all about interests and power struggles. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming years...