The United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), initiated a year ago by President Trump, is set to finalize this week. The move, formalized through an executive order signed on his inauguration day, marks Trump's second attempt to sever ties with the global health agency.

Trump's executive order cited concerns over the WHO's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic originating in Wuhan, China, its perceived failure to implement necessary reforms, and its alleged susceptibility to undue political influence from member states. This follows a previous attempt in 2020 to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO, a decision reversed by President Biden upon taking office.

The initial withdrawal process began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trump administration argued that the WHO had not adequately addressed the crisis and was overly influenced by China. These concerns led to the first attempt to pull the U.S. out of the organization, a move that drew criticism from global health experts who emphasized the importance of international cooperation during a pandemic.

President Biden's decision to rejoin the WHO on his first day in office signaled a return to multilateralism in global health. However, Trump's renewed effort to withdraw raises questions about the future of U.S. involvement in international health initiatives and the potential impact on global health security. The implications of this withdrawal extend beyond financial contributions, potentially affecting the WHO's ability to respond to future health crises and coordinate international efforts. The status of any unpaid dues remains unclear.