WHO Chief Calls US Reasons for Withdrawal ‘Untrue,’ Warns Move Puts World at Risk.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Saturday rejected the United States’ stated reasons for withdrawing from the agency, calling the criticism “untrue” and cautioning that the decision makes both the US and the world less safe.
Posting on X, Tedros said, “Unfortunately, the reasons cited for the US decision to withdraw from WHO are untrue.” He stressed that WHO has always engaged with all member states, including the US, “with full respect for their sovereignty.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Thursday that Washington had formally left the WHO, blaming the agency for alleged failures during the Covid-19 pandemic and claiming it acted against US interests. They accused WHO of “trashing and tarnishing” the United States and compromising its independence.
The WHO strongly rejected these claims, saying it acted transparently throughout the pandemic, shared information promptly, and advised member states based on the best available evidence. The agency clarified that it never issued mandates for masks, vaccines, or lockdowns, leaving policy decisions to sovereign governments.
While the withdrawal process, initiated under former President Trump, reached its one-year completion last Thursday, the US remains behind on its 2024 and 2025 dues—approximately $260 million. WHO said the matter will be addressed in upcoming Executive Board and World Health Assembly meetings.
Tedros expressed hope for the US’s future return, reaffirming WHO’s commitment to its mission of promoting the highest attainable standard of health for all people.
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