The United States has completed the process of leaving the World Health Organization (WHO) with an outstanding debt of $260 million, Bloomberg reports.
President Donald Trump signed the order to withdraw from the WHO on the first day of his second presidential term. However, according to the U.S. Constitution, to complete the withdrawal, the organization must be notified a year in advance and all financial obligations must be fully settled, the agency notes.
The withdrawal process was completed on Thursday, January 22: U.S. funding for the WHO ceased, and staff were recalled from all offices and the headquarters. Nevertheless, Bloomberg emphasizes that the U.S. has not fulfilled its financial obligations to the organization.
In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert Kennedy accused the WHO of high compensation demands and emphasized that the United States has always been a "founder, major sponsor, and defender" of the organization.
Trump explained the need to withdraw from the WHO by citing the organization's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to its "inability to act independently of the political influence of member states" and that American contributions were higher than those of other countries.
According to NPR, the U.S. debt for 2024-2025 has already reached $278 million.
