(Washington, DC) – 6 Years after COVID-19 plague the nation, and the world- the United States is pulling out of the World Health Organization. The global health body will choose a new director-general next year, and allies of the WHO believe a leadership change could reopen the door to U.S. membership under Donald Trump. Trump has long accused the WHO of protecting China during the COVID-19 pandemic and overcharging the U.S. for dues, charges the organization denies. While current WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has pushed reforms to shift more costs onto other countries, his strained relationship with Trump never recovered.
Tedros is term-limited and will step down in 2027, triggering a global leadership contest among the WHO’s 193 member states. Behind the scenes, Trump allies have signaled they want the organization led by an American director-general and inspector general – something that has never happened in the WHO’s history. Global health experts say potential candidates already understand that convincing Washington will be key, and are expected to pitch reform agendas directly to U.S. officials as the race ramps up.
The stakes are high. The U.S. was the WHO’s largest donor, contributing about 20% of its $3.4 billion annual budget before Trump cut funding last year, forcing layoffs and budget reductions. Even so, some cooperation has quietly continued, including U.S. participation in meetings that determine annual flu vaccine strains. Public health experts warn that a full rupture could delay outbreak data and sample sharing if a new virus emerges in regions where the U.S. lacks close ties.
For now, the withdrawal is largely symbolic – Trump already halted most funding and technical cooperation. But WHO officials and U.S. health experts alike see the upcoming leadership change as the last, best chance for a reset. As one analyst put it, the path back isn’t about speeches or statements – it’s about whether the next WHO leader can convince Trump the organization serves American interests first.
