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Trump orders U.S. withdrawal from WHO on inauguration day

In a major move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20 to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization amid sustained criticism over the WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During remarks at the White House shortly after his inauguration, Trump complained about the financial contributions the U.S. makes to the UN agency, insisting they exceed China’s. “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” he said.

The executive order mandates federal agencies to immediately stop any future transfers of US government funds, support, or resources to the WHO and also to identify alternative, credible partners that can undertake functions performed by the organization.

The Trump administration also plans to reevaluate and possibly revoke the Biden administration’s 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy that was designed to build capabilities for preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats.

The United States is the biggest contributor to the WHO financially, accounting for about 18% of the agency’s total funding. Trump repeatedly attacked the organization over its handling of the pandemic and said it was too susceptible to political influence from China, adding that reforms he had sought were not made.

This is not the first try at leaving the WHO; in 2020, Trump initiated the process to withdraw, accusing the organization of enabling misinformation about the origins of COVID-19, particularly related to China.

The WHO has since expressed regret over the move by the U.S. to withdraw. “The World Health Organization regrets the announcement by the United States of America of its intention to withdraw from the organization,” said Spokesman Tarik Jasarevic.

The same day, Trump sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in a swearing-in ceremony at Capitol Rotunda, Washington, D.C. In the oath, he swore to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Later, Trump said after being sworn, “My life was saved for a reason, I was saved by God to make America great again.”

At 78, Trump now is the oldest president in American history and, decidedly, the first convicted felon to ever have held that office, opened his inaugural address declaring, “the golden age of America begins right now.”

Addressing the issue of inflation, Trump reiterated his energy policy slogan, “drill baby drill,” linking the current inflation crisis to excessive government spending and rising energy prices. “We will drill, baby, drill,” he proclaimed, also announcing a national energy emergency.

Source
Wion News

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