The United States has formally withdrawn from reforms introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance the global response to pandemics. The Trump administration rejected the 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), citing concerns that the measures could impinge on American sovereignty and decision-making authority during public health emergencies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the move in a joint statement, emphasizing that the aim is to “prevent international bureaucrats from shaping US domestic policies.” They expressed concerns about the vague and broad terminology used in the amendments, which could lead to WHO-coordinated international responses focusing on political issues rather than rapid and effective actions.
The US officials highlighted that the amendments could compromise the country’s sovereign right to make health policy. “Our Agencies have been and will continue to be clear: we will put Americans first in all our actions and we will not tolerate international policies that infringe on Americans’ speech, privacy, or personal liberties,” Rubio and Kennedy stated. They also noted that the amendments would require countries to adopt digital health documents, which could potentially interfere with national health policies.
The WHO’s pandemic response treaty aims to ensure better coordination, equitable vaccine access, and faster crisis response in future outbreaks. However, the US withdrawal could undermine the organization’s efforts to finalize the treaty and weaken global health security.
The US decision to withdraw from the WHO pandemic response reforms has sparked significant global concern and debate. Health experts and global leaders have expressed alarm over the potential implications of this move, warning that it could jeopardize international cooperation and undermine efforts to combat global health threats.
The WHO has expressed regret over the US decision, emphasizing the importance of global solidarity and cooperation in addressing pandemics. “The US opposition to the WHO’s pandemic response measures raises critical questions about the balance between national sovereignty and global health security,” according to global health experts.
The US has been a major contributor to the WHO, providing approximately 18% of its budget. However, the Trump administration has been critical of the organization, accusing it of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and being susceptible to political influence from member states. This is not the first time the US has signaled its intent to leave the WHO, having announced a similar withdrawal in 2020, which was later reversed by the Biden administration.