Trump Hints at Possible Rejoining of WHO Amidst U.S. Exit Plans

U.S. President Donald Trump, during a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday, suggested that his administration might consider rejoining the World Health Organization (WHO) under certain conditions. This comes just days after Trump formally announced the country’s scheduled withdrawal from the global health agency, citing dissatisfaction with its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health challenges.

“Maybe we’d consider going back. I don’t know. They would need to clean it up,” Trump told supporters, referencing his concerns about the organization’s operations and perceived inefficiencies.

The United States, the largest financial contributor to the WHO, currently provides around 18% of the agency’s funding. According to WHO’s most recent budget for 2024-2025, this amounts to a significant share of the $6.8 billion allocated for the period.

Scheduled Exit in 2026

Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO was one of his first actions after being sworn in for a second term earlier this week. The official exit date is set for January 22, 2026. The president expressed dissatisfaction with what he described as disproportionate financial contributions from the U.S. compared to China, a nation with a far larger population.

“We pay more than anyone else, but they [China] benefit the most. That doesn’t make sense,” Trump added, doubling down on his criticism of the organization’s structure.

Economic Collaboration with Saudi Arabia

During the rally, Trump also announced plans to strengthen economic ties with Saudi Arabia, revealing ongoing negotiations for increased investment from the Gulf nation. Trump shared that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had committed $600 billion in trade and investment over the next four years, with Trump aiming to raise this to $1 trillion.

The proposed investment is part of Trump’s broader strategy to bolster the U.S. economy through international partnerships and large-scale foreign investments.