U.S. completes withdrawal from WHO without paying $260 mln in arrears

The United States completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization on Jan. 22 without paying about $260 million in outstanding dues, Bloomberg reported.

According to the report, the World Health Assembly plans to discuss legal options to address the issue at its meeting in May.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 formalising the withdrawal, arguing that Washington’s contributions were disproportionately high compared with those of other countries. The United States subsequently halted all funding, withdrew from WHO-related working groups and recalled its representatives.

Trump had also initiated a withdrawal from the WHO during his first term, accusing the organisation of being under China’s influence. That move was later reversed by his successor, Joe Biden.