EU concerned over US decision to withdraw from WHO

By Melike Pala

The European Union expressed concern Tuesday over a decision by the US to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Eva Hrncirova, a spokesperson for the European Commission, addressed the issue during a daily press briefing in the Belgian capital Brussels, responding to a question on US President Donald Trump’s decision to leave the WHO.

Highlighting the importance of global cooperation in tackling health threats, Hrncirova said: “We are concerned about the announcement that the US will withdraw from the WHO.”

She emphasized that the EU hopes the US administration will reconsider its decision and acknowledged Trump’s criticisms regarding "inequalities in the financial contributions" to the WHO.

Hrncirova stressed the need for the WHO to address these criticisms and work towards a funding model that is both "predictable and flexible."

She also reiterated the EU’s willingness to be involved in any potential reform of the WHO, saying: “We need a common solution for common problems. If we want reform, we must be part of it.”

Upon taking office Monday, Trump signed an executive order formalizing the United States' withdrawal from the WHO.

The executive order cited several reasons for the withdrawal, including the WHO’s "mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic originating from Wuhan, China, and other global health crises," its failure to implement urgently needed reforms, and its lack of independence from "undue political influence from member states."

The order also said that the WHO continued to "unfairly demand excessive financial contributions from the US."