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Title: Trump Executive Order Would Sever Ties With The World Health Organization
On January 11, 2021, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would effectively sever ties between the United States and the World Health Organization (WHO). This unilateral action notified the U.N. that the U.S. is withdrawing from the organization, which has been a critical partner in global public health efforts.
However, this decision runs counter to the requirements of U.S. law. The executive branch’s unilateral withdrawal without explicit approval from Congress violates the Constitution and relevant statutes. Furthermore, under U.S. law, any withdrawal must be accompanied by one year’s notice and meeting financial obligations to the organization for the current year.
The timing of Trump’s executive order is particularly concerning as it comes at a critical juncture in the global fight against COVID-19. The WHO plays a vital role in coordinating international responses to public health crises, and its withdrawal could significantly undermine our ability to combat this pandemic.
During his first term in office, Trump had signaled his intention to withdraw from the WHO over concerns about the organization’s handling of the early stages of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Initially, he threatened to cut off U.S. funding for the WHO pending a “review” of the organization’s role in the spread of the virus.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Trump declared that he would withdraw funding from the WHO due to its alleged mishandling of the crisis. However, under his administration, the U.S. continued to be a major funder and member of the WHO, albeit with some conditions.
It is crucial for the Biden administration to reevaluate this decision given the global importance of international collaboration in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. As the largest donor to the WHO, the U.S. has a critical role to play in ensuring that the organization can continue to effectively coordinate global efforts and provide essential support to countries around the world.
Moreover, the WHO is instrumental in advancing public health globally by setting standards for international public health security, providing scientific guidance and resources for country responses to outbreaks, and mobilizing donors for emergency response and recovery efforts. Any abrupt withdrawal from the organization could have severe consequences for global public health, including undermining trust, disrupting critical operations, and hindering our ability to address future pandemics.
To rectify this situation, it is essential that Congress take immediate action to reverse this decision or provide explicit approval for such an action.
Source: http://www.forbes.com
