As of today, the United States is no longer a member of the World Health Organization (WHO), leaving the United Nations health agency with hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid bills, Stat News reported. The withdrawal, initiated a year ago when the U.S. informed the WHO of its intent to exit, concludes a one-year withdrawal period mandated by a 1948 joint resolution of Congress.
The Trump administration effectively severed ties with the WHO immediately upon announcing its intention to withdraw. Former President Trump cited concerns over the agency's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its dues payments, and what he described as its protection of China as justification for the decision.
The attempt to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO during Trump's first term was reversed by the Biden administration on its first day in office, well before the one-year notice period concluded. The 1948 joint resolution also stipulated that the U.S. would have to pay its financial obligations in full before departing, a condition that has not been met.
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