U.S. Formally Exits World Health Organization: A Seismic Shift in Global Health Governance

ADDIS ABABA — The official US withdrawal from WHO 2026 has shifted the landscape of international diplomacy and public health, following the formal completion of the exit on January 22. This historic departure marks the end of nearly 78 years of American leadership within the United Nations’ premier health body, finalizing a process that began exactly one year ago.

The decision, rooted in a formal notification submitted exactly one year ago by the administration of President Donald J. Trump, has reignited a fierce global debate. Proponents argue it is a necessary defense of national sovereignty and taxpayer interests, while critics warn of a “colossal own goal” that leaves the world vulnerable to future pandemics.

The Final Break: Washington’s Ultimatum

The official US withdrawal from WHO follows a turbulent year-long notice period triggered by an Executive Order signed on President Trump’s first day in office in 2025. In a joint statement released Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared that the U.S. has “freed itself from the constraints” of an organization they describe as “bloated, inefficient, and politically compromised.”

“The American people have paid more than enough to this organization,” a State Department spokesperson told reporters, echoing the administration’s stance that the WHO failed in its fundamental mission. “The WHO’s failure to contain, manage, and share information with the global community cost the U.S. economy between $14 trillion and $16 trillion dollars during the COVID-19 era. This economic hit is beyond a down payment on any financial obligations.”

The administration’s primary grievances center on the WHO’s alleged “mishandling” of the COVID-19 pandemic and its perceived inability to remain independent from the influence of the People’s Republic of China. President Trump has repeatedly asserted that the organization echoed “Chinese propaganda” during the early stages of the 2020 outbreak, a claim the WHO has consistently denied.

A World Divided: Political Fallout and Diplomatic Friction

The withdrawal has created a deep partisan divide within the United States. Senator Bob Menendez, a high-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, lashed out at the decision, stating, “This decision leaves America alone and exposes Americans to disease. It is a shortsighted move that weakens our ability to lead on the global stage.”

Conversely, the White House maintains that the move is about accountability. In a Fact Sheet released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the administration noted that despite being the primary founder and largest financial backer of the WHO, the U.S. was consistently marginalized in its leadership—noting that none of the nine Directors-General in the agency’s history have been American.

International media outlets have been quick to analyze the repercussions. As checked by the BBC, the withdrawal officially pauses all future transfers of U.S. government funds and resources to the WHO, including the recall of CDC personnel who have traditionally been embedded within the agency’s technical working groups. AFP reported on its coverage that the move “signals the start of an uncertain new era,” noting that the U.S. exit remains a point of legal contention regarding outstanding dues. The WHO maintains that the U.S. still has financial obligations totaling over $278 million that must be paid before a member can formally depart under 1948 rules.

The “China Influence” and Regional Impact

For the Horn of Africa and Ethiopia, the U.S. departure from the WHO is particularly significant. The WHO plays a critical role in the region, coordinating responses to outbreaks of malaria, cholera, and the ongoing monitoring of emerging infectious diseases.

“Critics argue that the U.S. is ‘ceding influence’ to Beijing, a move consistent with the administration’s broader skepticism toward traditional regional structures and Trump’s previous rhetoric regarding East African nations.”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian national who has led the organization through its most trying years, expressed deep regret over the decision. In a statement from Geneva, the WHO noted, “There are things you can get only at the WHO and nowhere else. The absence of the U.S. will be felt by the millions of people who rely on our collaborative surveillance systems.”

Citing Precedents: A History of Withdrawal and Re-entry

The current withdrawal is a direct reversal of policies set by the previous administration. In 2020, during his first term, Donald Trump initially began the withdrawal process, but this was immediately rescinded by President Joe Biden on his first day in office in January 2021.

At the time, Biden stated on social media, “Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as President, I will rejoin the WHO.” While Biden fulfilled that promise in 2021, the 2024 election of Trump has once again flipped the script.

Current U.S. officials argue that the “reforms” promised during the Biden years never materialized. “The WHO tarnished and trashed everything America has done for it,” the State Department’s latest media note claimed, even alleging that the agency refused to return the American flag that hung in front of its Geneva headquarters.

What Happens Next?

As of today, all U.S. funding for WHO initiatives has ceased. The administration is now pivoting toward bilateral engagements, seeking to work directly with “trusted partners” rather than through the multilateral UN framework.

However, health experts like Kelly Henning of Bloomberg Philanthropies warn that this fragmented approach could “weaken the systems the world relies on to detect and respond to health threats.” Without U.S. participation in the WHO’s annual flu vaccine selection or its pandemic treaty negotiations, the global safety net has developed a significant hole.

For now, the legal battle continues. The United Nations maintains that the U.S. cannot “legally” withdraw until its debts are settled. Meanwhile, the Trump administration remains firm: the door to Geneva is closed, and the focus is now on building a “more transparent and effective” model for American health security.