Note: The views and opinions expressed in blog/editorial posts are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the views or opinions of Misbar.
US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) was not surprising. He expressed his intention to do so early in May, according to the Washington Post. However, this news has caused a huge online interaction, which may have conveyed information that might be misleading or misunderstood.
BREAKING: Trump just officially withdrew the US from the World Health Organization at the height of a pandemic. This is the dumbest f**king thing I've ever heard.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) July 7, 2020
Trump just formally withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization. What a shameful moment.
— Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) July 7, 2020
GREAT NEWS:
— Tea Party Patriots (@TPPatriots) July 8, 2020
Today the U.S. officially withdrew from the World Health Organization!
Thank you President Trump 🇺🇸
If Trump's main opponent Joe Biden won the election, he would be able to annul the withdrawal decision. He replied to that news in a tweet:
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
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 7, 2020
Misbar's team concluded that some information needed to be clarified regarding this viral topic, because according to the Washington Post, the withdrawal letter was sent on July 6, 2020 but won't be effective until July 6, 2021.
As many other sources such as the United Nations, CNET and NPR point out, until July 6, 2021 the United States is required to maintain its obligations and commitments with the World Health Organization (WHO), including financial ones.
According to the spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the Untied Nations, the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization requires giving a one-year notice and "fully meeting the payment of assessed financial obligations."
