Trump team eyes demanding 'WHO reform', US leadership
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The document, shared with Trump’s advisors before his inauguration, recommended that the US announce its withdrawal from the WHO and pursue a “radical new approach."
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The logo of the World Health Organization is seen at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, June 11, 2009. (AP)
The Trump administration has been contemplating "a reform plan" for the World Health Organization (WHO), which includes appointing an American as director general in 2027, according to two sources and a proposal document reviewed by Reuters.
The document, shared with Trump’s advisors before his inauguration, recommended that the US announce its withdrawal from the WHO and pursue a “radical new approach,” including pushing for a US official to lead the organization after Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ term ends.
Trump’s executive order to exit the WHO was one of his early actions upon taking office, accusing the organization of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and being unduly influenced by other nations—a claim that the WHO denies. Trump has suggested that the US might return to the WHO if it is “cleaned up', although he has not detailed what changes would be required.
The proposal has been under discussion since before Trump took office, but it is unclear whether his administration will adopt all its recommendations. White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the administration will continue to review health policies to implement necessary reforms but did not comment specifically on the WHO discussions.
Why it matters
The proposal, compiled by an outside policy expert at the request of Trump's transition team, criticizes the WHO as “the most chaotic, least effective UN agency,” stating it has failed to execute reforms over the past two decades. It acknowledges that leaving the WHO would harm American interests but argues that staying without reforms would lead to similar drawbacks.
WHO’s Director of Transformation, Soren Brostrom, rejected these criticisms, saying the organization has undergone its most significant reforms under Tedros. He emphasized the WHO’s independence from donors and its efforts to enhance transparency and autonomy. "We have reformed totally, and we know we are still in progress," he stated, noting that the organization’s responses to health crises have not been chaotic.
The proposal document calls for the appointment of a US special envoy in 2025 to oversee negotiations with the WHO about reforms before the US withdrawal in 2026. The envoy would push for an American to lead the WHO, claiming that the lack of US leadership has contributed to inefficiency and wasted American funds. The WHO’s Executive Board selects the director-general, and the U.S. would be able to propose a candidate for the role.
The US is the largest contributor to the WHO’s budget, providing around 18% of its funding annually. The WHO has warned of potential spending cuts without U.S. contributions. Despite halting collaboration with the WHO, the US has a delegation at the agency’s executive board meeting in Geneva, discussing the WHO’s budget and priorities.
Last week, 43 US lawmakers urged Trump to reconsider his decision to exit the WHO, and public health advocates are considering legal action to challenge it. "It would be in America's best interests to remain and push for reforms," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health at Georgetown University.
Read more: Trump's WHO exit threat sparks hiring freeze, budget cuts
