The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO). It comes exactly one year after the withdrawal process began under an executive order that President Donald Trump signed on the first day of his second-term inauguration. The United States, the largest donor in the WHO's 78-year history, left the body with 280 billion won in unpaid dues.
Reuters reported on the 22nd (local time) that the Trump administration had completed the process of leaving the WHO. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Minister of Health and Welfare Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a joint statement that "the WHO has abandoned its core mission and pursued a political agenda contrary to U.S. interests." They argued that despite the United States being the largest financial contributor, the WHO was swayed by the interests of hostile countries.
The "hostile country" identified by the Trump administration is effectively China. President Trump has criticized the WHO for excessively defending China during the early response to COVID-19 and failing to declare a public health emergency and share information. After signing an executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, directing the withdrawal from the WHO, he proceeded in stages to suspend funding for one year and pull out personnel.
According to CNN, the unpaid U.S. assessment to the WHO amounts to about $260 million (about 380 billion won). A 1948 U.S. congressional resolution states that to leave the WHO, a country must give one year's notice and fulfill all financial obligations. The United States, despite having established its own requirement under domestic law to settle dues, pushed ahead with withdrawal while refusing to fulfill the debt on the grounds that international organizations lack the authority to enforce it. U.S. health authorities said, "There is no rule that liabilities must be settled before withdrawal," and noted they would prioritize domestic judgment over treaties with international organizations.
With the U.S. departure, the WHO faces immediate financial pressure. The United States was the largest donor, contributing about $1.3 billion for 2022–2023. If the funding gap persists, major disease eradication programs for polio, Ebola and HIV could take a direct hit.
President Trump also notified the WHO of a withdrawal in 2020 during his first term, but former President Joe Biden reversed it upon taking office. This time, he forced through the exit immediately after returning to power, effectively closing the path back. Foreign media said the WHO will discuss the issue of unpaid dues at its assembly in May, but predicted the chances of a practical resolution are low.