Motivations Behind the U.S. and Argentina’s Withdrawal from the WHO

The United States and Argentina are both pursuing withdrawal from the WHO due to criticisms regarding the organization’s handling of health crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns of bias towards China and ineffective use of funding have fueled these decisions, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with international health governance.

The United States, the largest financial contributor to the World Health Organization (WHO), signaled its intention to withdraw on January 20, 2017, coinciding with Donald Trump’s inauguration. Citing bias towards China, the Trump administration claimed that the WHO downplayed the COVID-19 pandemic’s severity and delayed the global health emergency declaration, alongside concerns about the ineffectiveness of its funding. Although the Biden administration reversed the withdrawal decision shortly after taking office, Trump’s stance remains unchanged.

Argentina has echoed similar sentiments, with President Javier Milei announcing on February 5, 2023, the country’s withdrawal intentions from the WHO. The spokesperson for Milei emphasized “deep differences” concerning the organization’s management of health crises, particularly related to COVID-19. Furthermore, he indicated that the WHO’s lack of independence from political influence posed a significant issue for Argentina’s government.

The World Health Organization, established to coordinate international public health responses, has faced criticism for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Allegations of bias towards China, concerns about the timeliness of emergency declarations, and the effectiveness of its funding allocation have led prominent nations like the United States and Argentina to reconsider their participation. The contrasting administrative approaches in the U.S. raise questions about the future of global health governance under different political leaders.

In summary, the withdrawal intentions of both the United States and Argentina from the WHO stem from significant dissatisfaction with the organization’s crisis management, impartiality, and operational effectiveness. These developments illustrate an escalating tension between national governments and international health authorities, indicating a broader discontent with multilateral health responses in the wake of global crises.

Original Source: globalsouthworld.com