In a letter relayed by a nocturnal tweet, Monday, May 18, Donald Trump said that the suspension of American funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) will become final unless the UN agency agrees, within 30 days , to make major "improvements".

This is the letter sent to Dr. Tedros of the World Health Organization. It is self-explanatory! pic.twitter.com/pF2kzPUpDv

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2020

In this letter addressed to the director general of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the American president warns that he could also question the adhesion of the United States to the WHO. He claims of the institution that it "demonstrates its independence" from China.

The US administration has already started discussions with the WHO on ways to reform the UN agency, Donald Trump added in the letter.

WHO promises independent assessment

Donald Trump announced in mid-April that he had asked his administration to stop funding the WHO, accusing him of having "failed in his essential duties" in the fight against the epidemic of coronavirus. This decision provoked a concert of disapproval.

The head of the White House accused the UN agency of encouraging Chinese "disinformation" about the virus, which would have led to a bigger health crisis.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said earlier Monday that an independent assessment of WHO's management of the coronavirus epidemic would be launched as soon as possible.

With Reuters

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app

google-play-badge_FR