Elected President Biden will order the United States to rejoin the World Health Organization, halting a withdrawal process initiated by the Trump administration.
Why it matters: Biden is expected to undo Trump administration policies early in his term. President Trump notified the United Nations in July 2020 of his government’s intention to withdraw from the organization – despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci will make remarks to the WTO’s executive council later this week as ‘head of delegation’.
- The WHO is often the head of international health issues such as vaccine development and polio eradication. Many countries that do not have critical health infrastructure are dependent on the WHO for resources.
- Trump stopped funding to the WHO in April. He argued that the organization was guilty of the ‘mismanagement and cover-up’ of COVID-19 on behalf of China and claimed that the US had a duty to insist on full accountability. ‘
- The US was the largest contributor to the WHO – providing more than 14% of its budget.
Biden tweeted in July: “Americans are safer when America is strengthening global health. On my first day as President, I will be back at the [WHO] and restore our leadership on the world stage. ‘