US President Donald Trump has halted funding for the WHO (World Health Organisation).
On Tuesday Trump told reporters, “I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization’s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus”.
Trump also questioned the organisation’s relationship with China, stating “American taxpayers provide between $400m-$500m per year to the WHO, in contrast, China contributes roughly $40m a year, even less”. Trump also stated, “As the organisation’s leading sponsor, the US has a duty to insist on full accountability”.
Without a doubt, this development is significant. Three outcomes arise as a result of Trump’s decision to halt funding to the WHO. Firstly, the WHO’s capability to help other countries to tackle the coronavirus crisis is reduced. Secondly, relations between the USA and China worsen. And, thirdly, doubt is cast on the ability of states to cooperate within multilateral institutions, such as the WHO, which has implications for the future dynamics of the international system.
Unsurprisingly, leaders and officials around the world have criticised Trump’s decision to halt funding for the WHO. Critics have argued that this decision will inhibit the WHO’s ability to support countries in their fight against the coronavirus crisis. Critics have also suggested that this decision was an attempt by Trump to deflect criticism regarding his administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis and to place blame for the crisis onto the WHO and China.
It is obvious that Trump, in announcing this move, was attempting to deflect the criticism he was receiving regarding his response to the coronavirus crisis. So, it is important to avoid the trap of focusing on this story instead of continuing to examine and scrutinise Trump’s ongoing response to the coronavirus crisis.
However, it is equally important to avoid the trap of focusing on Trump and failing to scrutinise and hold to account both the WHO and China during this ongoing crisis. Both the WHO and China are influential actors and their actions will inevitably affect events regarding the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Regardless of one’s opinions about Trump’s actions and his comments regarding the WHO and China, one cannot dispute that he is right to scrutinise these actors throughout this crisis.
It is only right that the WHO and China, alongside Trump, are scrutinised and held to account. Such scrutiny of all relevant parties is necessary to ensure the best outcome for all of us as we navigate through this ongoing crisis.
The politics blog 