Concert of disapprovals after the suspension of the American contribution to the WHO

Reactions to Donald Trump's decision to suspend the U.S. contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO) are increasing, Wednesday, April 15, around the world.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "now is not the time" to cut WHO's resources. "Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together and in solidarity to stop this virus and its serious consequences," he said.

>> Read: "Covid-19: Donald Trump suspends US contribution to WHO"

In Europe, EU foreign chief Josep Borrell from Spain "deeply regrets" the suspension of the US contribution, he wrote on Twitter. "There is no reason to justify this decision at a time when we need their efforts more than ever to contain and reduce the coronavirus pandemic."

Deeply regret US decision to suspend funding to @WHO. There is no reason justifying this move at a moment when their efforts are needed more than ever to help contain & mitigate the #coronavirus pandemic. Only by joining forces we can overcome this crisis that knows no borders.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas believes that strengthening the WHO is necessary. "The virus knows no borders. We need to work closely against Covid-19. One of the best investments is to strengthen the UN, especially the underfunded WHO, for example to develop and distribute tests and vaccines, "he said on Twitter.

China "deeply concerned"

China, for its part, expressed its "deep concern" and urged the United States to "seriously assume its responsibilities and obligations, and to support the international action against the epidemic led by the WHO ". Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also told reporters that Donald Trump's decision would affect every country in the world.

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The decision is being challenged, including in the United States. Patrice Harris, President of the American Medical Association, one of the largest associations of doctors and medical students in the country, said the move was "a dangerous step in the wrong direction that will not help [it] the defeat of the Covid-19 ". He urged the President to reconsider his decision.

Elected Democrat Nita Lowey, who heads the US House of Representatives' committee to fix government spending, said Donald Trump was making a mistake. "The coronavirus cannot be defeated only here in the United States, it must be defeated all over the world," she said.

With AFP and Reuters

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