Trump begins U.S. withdrawal from WHO

President Donald Trump has begun to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). Congress received formal notification of the decision earlier this week more than a month after Trump initially announced his intention to end the U.S. relationship with the agency.

Critics of the decision, including many prominent Democrats, say the decision is irresponsible, noting it comes as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rise and will require international cooperation and collaboration to overcome.

Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said in a press conference he would rejoin the WHO immediately if he wins the election in November.

The Trump administration’s main criticism of the WHO claims “China has total control over the [WHO], despite only paying $40 million per year compared to what the [U.S.] has been paying, which is approximately $450 million a year.”

Tarik Jasarevic, a spokesman for the WHO, said the organization had received reports of the U.S. formal notification, but have no further information.