China has condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw America from the World Health Organization (WHO), labeling it a catastrophic move.
Moments after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, Trump issued an executive order formalizing the U.S. exit from the global health body. The decision is expected to impact nations like Kenya, a key beneficiary of WHO support.
In his statement, Trump criticized the WHO for what he described as undue political influence and financial mismanagement. “The World Health Organization ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It is not going to happen anymore,” Trump said during his inauguration.
China's Response
Reacting swiftly, Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun rebuked Trump’s decision, asserting that it would weaken the global health system at a critical time. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, January 21, Jiakun emphasized the importance of bolstering the WHO.
“The role of WHO should be strengthened and not weakened. WHO is the most authoritative and professional international institution in the field of global public health,” Jiakun said.
He further pledged China’s commitment to international cooperation, improved global health governance, and support for the WHO’s mandate to provide humanitarian and health assistance worldwide. Jiakun also dismissed Trump’s claims that China had failed to make significant contributions to the organization.
Impact on Kenya and Africa
The U.S. withdrawal is expected to have significant repercussions for Kenya, particularly in accessing medical supplies, responding to health emergencies, and combating diseases. The decision could hinder the recently launched Health Emergency Hub (HEH) program between Kenya and the WHO, which aims to strengthen the country’s ability to handle health crises.
On a broader scale, Trump’s move could slow the WHO’s efforts to implement its five-year plan for detecting, monitoring, and responding to disease outbreaks across Africa.
Funding Implications
In 2023, the U.S. contributed Ksh156 billion ($1.284 billion) to the WHO, making it the organization’s largest donor. The funds supported critical initiatives in countries like Kenya, ranging from emergency response to cross-border disease control. Comparatively, China ranks as the seventh-largest contributor to the WHO, behind nations such as the U.K., Germany, and Japan.
Trump’s decision to cut ties with the WHO has drawn criticism globally, with many warning of its potential to destabilize global health efforts, especially in vulnerable regions like Africa. As nations like China step up to fill the void, the implications for global health governance remain uncertain.
