U.S. officially withdraws from WHO

It's official. Donald Trump launched the procedure for the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). He thus carries out his threats to leave the UN agency which he accuses of having delayed reacting to the coronavirus pandemic.

The United States is the largest contributor to the Geneva-based organization, with 15% of the WHO budget, or $ 400 million a year.

Democratic candidate for the White House Joe Biden said he would reverse the decision if elected on November 3. "On the first day of my presidency, I will join the WHO and reaffirm our global leadership," he wrote on Twitter. "Americans are safer when America is committed to strengthening global health," said.

Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as President, I will rejoin the @WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage. https://t.co/8uazVIgPZB

This withdrawal will be effective after a period of one year, July 6, 2021, said Tuesday July 7, several officials of the United States government. The notification was sent to the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, "who is the depositary for the WHO," they said.

The United Nations confirmed that it had received the US withdrawal letter on Monday. The spokesperson for Antonio Guterres clarified that the United States, founding members of the WHO in 1948, had to fulfill two conditions to withdraw from the organization: to respect a deadline of one year and to be up to date in their contributions.

Beijing in the sights

Donald Trump had announced in late May "end the relationship" between his country and the WHO, which he accuses since the start of the pandemic of being too lenient with China, where the coronavirus appeared in December before spread on the planet. He also accuses the boss of the WHO, the Ethiopian Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, of having failed to reform the organization.

The announcement comes at a time when the pandemic has killed at least 539,620 people worldwide since the end of December, according to an assessment made Tuesday by AFP from official sources. The United States, which recorded its first death linked to the coronavirus in early February, is the country most affected with more than 130,000 deaths.

To the point of being "deep down to the knees" in the pandemic, said Monday evening the director of the American Institute of Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci. The Federation of American Scientists denounced the American withdrawal, saying it came "at a time when international cooperation is most needed". It "will only undermine the global fight against the Covid-19," she lambasted.

With AFP

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

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