US Exits WHO Citing COVID-19 Mishandling; Trump Halts Funding, Seeks New Partners

• President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, formally initiating the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The administration cited the WHO's alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic, failure to reform, and undue political influence from member states as key reasons for the exit.
• The White House also criticized the financial burden on the US, noting China's proportionally smaller contributions despite its larger population.
• The executive order mandates pausing all US government funds, support, and resources to the WHO, and reassigning US personnel.
• The withdrawal process will take one year, during which the US will cease participation in global pandemic agreement negotiations and international health regulations amendments.

Why It Matters: The US officially begins its withdrawal from the WHO, citing pandemic mishandling and financial concerns.