China News Service, April 15th: As the New Coronary Pneumonia epidemic spreads and the world's public health security faces great challenges, Trump suddenly announced that the United States will suspend funding for the World Health Organization, causing concern and doubt.

Right now, the number of confirmed cases of new crowns in the world is approaching 2 million, and the number of diagnoses in the United States has exceeded 600,000. At a critical moment when WHO has been calling for fund-raising to fight the epidemic, why did Trump suddenly announce this decision?

Data graph: US President Trump. China News Agency reporter Chen Meng Tongshe

Long preplanned?

On April 14, local time, Trump announced at the White House press conference that the United States will suspend funding for the World Health Organization on the grounds that he believes that the WHO is not performing well in handling the new crown epidemic.

Trump accused that WHO did not release the epidemic information in time, nor did it introduce effective anti-epidemic measures. He said: "After such a long time, it is time for them to be held accountable."

In fact, Trump "has long planned" the matter. In the latest budget proposal in February 2020, the US government called for the reduction of US assessments to WHO to US $ 57.9 million.

On April 7 and 8, Trump twice criticized WHO for "slow response to the crisis" and threatened to suspend funding to the organization. In response, WHO Director-General Tan Desai said that in the face of the current grim situation, using the epidemic to carry out political attacks is like playing with fire.

Data Map: On February 15, local time, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tan Desai attended the 56th Munich Security Conference and delivered a speech. China News Service reporter Peng Dawei

Since the establishment of WHO in 1948, the United States has begun to provide financial support to help prevent global health crises. The WHO website shows that between 2018 and 2019, the United States has contributed nearly 900 million U.S. dollars to WHO through two methods: membership dues and voluntary contributions. The funds provided by the United States have played an important role in the complete elimination of polio, crisis response and response to the Ebola outbreak.

It is currently unclear what mechanism Trump intends to use to withhold funding for WHO. Normally, since most of these funds are allocated by Congress, the President has no power to unilaterally change the flow of funds allocated by Congress. Trump said on the 14th that the United States will conduct a 60-90-day review of the WHO. He emphasized that he hopes that the WHO will carry out meaningful reforms.

Distracted?

As a key organization leading global anti-epidemic, since the first report of the epidemic situation was received by WHO in December 2019, it has been analyzing data, providing advice, and coordinating partners around the clock. According to the UN website, at the end of January 2020, the WHO declared the epidemic as a major public health emergency of international concern, leading the global response from five key areas.

So, what kind of consideration does Trump declare to stop funding at this time?

A number of American media pointed out that when Trump announced the decision, he was being questioned because of his ineffective response to the epidemic, and his poll approval ratings also dropped. A few days ago, the New York Times published a series of long articles, pointing directly to the US government ’s slow response to the epidemic and its ineffective results. In the article “Why Trump ignored warnings and mistakes again and again”, he resumed The White House missed the point of response to the epidemic; The Washington Post also published an article in early April detailing the 70 days the United States was “wasted”.

Data Map: On April 12, local time, the American flag in Times Square in New York was lowered by half a flag to mourn the death of New Crown Pneumonia. China News Agency reporter Liao Panshe

Senator Brian Shatz of the Democratic Party of Hawaii in the United States pointed out that Trump's move seems to be "distracting." Senator Murphy of the Connecticut Democratic Party expressed similar views, saying Trump wanted to cover up his negligence in the fight against the epidemic.

On the 15th, Reuters stated that Trump often found "scapegoats" while in power. "When he feels attacked or under pressure, he often criticizes the media, Democrats or others."

Questioning

Trump's decision aroused public opinion in the United States.

The chairman of the US House Appropriations Committee and New York State Democrat Rep. Roy said the president must stop his counterproductive "political game." "The new crown virus cannot be defeated only in the United States, it must be defeated anywhere in the world." Committee leader Leahy described the move: "It's like cutting off allies' ammunition when the enemy approaches."

Data Map: On April 14, local time, microbiologists are testing nucleic acids at the Medician Army Medical Center laboratory in Lewis-McCord, Washington, United States.

The American medical community also quickly expressed dissatisfaction. The largest medical organization in the United States, the American Medical Association, pointed out on the 14th that the United States ’cessation of funding for the World Health Organization was a“ dangerous step in the wrong direction ”and urged the President to reconsider.

The US political news site "Politico" even pointed out that Trump's move violated the "Pan Preparedness Plan" drafted by the US government in 2017, which specifically emphasized "continue to support" WHO.

At the same time, the international community also expressed concern. UN Secretary General Guterres emphasized that, at a time when all countries are united in their efforts to fight the epidemic, as an organization leading and coordinating global anti-epidemic actions, WHO's resources should not be reduced at this time. (Finish)