China has issued a statement after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, on Tuesday, January 21, stated that China has vowed to support WHO after Trump criticized the body for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic that struck in 2020.
“The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened,” said Guo Jiakun
“China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity.”
China Pledges Support for WHO After US Withdrawal
Speaking at the White House on Monday, January 20, just hours after his inauguration, Trump stated that the United States was contributing significantly more to the UN body than China. He added, “The World Health [Organization] ripped us off.”
The United States, as the largest donor to the Geneva-based organization, provides substantial financial support crucial to the WHO’s operations.
“The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states,” read the withdrawal notice in part.
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In addition, Trump claimed that the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, which is far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments.
“China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO,” the statement read further.
Trump Signs Executive Order to Pull US from WHO
In his new executive order, Trump further directed agencies to “pause the future transfer of any United States Government funds, support, or resources to the WHO” and to “identify credible and transparent United States and international partners to assume necessary activities previously undertaken by the WHO.”
The administration also announced plans to review and rescind former president Joe Biden’s 2024 US Global Health Security Strategy, which was designed to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, “as soon as practicable.”
At the same time, while the withdrawal was in progress, the Secretary of State was directed to cease negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and the amendments to the International Health Regulations.
However, actions taken to effectuate such agreements and amendments will have no binding force on the United States.
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WHO Responds after US Decision
WHO expressed regret over the announcement that the United States intends to withdraw from the organization.
It acknowledged that the U.S. was a founding member in 1948 and has played an active role in shaping and governing the organization’s work alongside 193 other Member States, including through participation in the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues,” WHO said.
“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.
Its withdrawal is expected to prompt significant restructuring within the institution and could further disrupt global health initiatives.
This marks the second time Trump has sought to sever ties with the WHO.
During his first term, the United States issued a notice of intent to withdraw, accusing the organization of being overly influenced by China in the early stages of the pandemic.
That decision was later reversed under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
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