Donald Trump threatens to permanently cut WHO funding, 'reconsider' US membership

Donald Trump says the US will permanently cut off funding to the World Health Organization unless it makes "substantive improvements" in the next 30 days.

Donald Trump during a roundtable with Restaurant Executives and Industry Leaders in the State Dining Room, Monday, May 18

Donald Trump during a roundtable with Restaurant Executives and Industry Leaders in the State Dining Room, Monday, May 18 Source: ABACA

US President Donald Trump has threatened to permanently freeze funding to the World Health Organization unless "substantive improvements" are made within the next 30 days.

Washington suspended payments to the WHO in mid-April, accusing it of being too close to Beijing and covering up and mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, Mr Trump tweeted images of a letter he sent to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saying the letter was "self-explanatory."

In the letter, Mr Trump lists what he says are examples of the WHO's shortcomings in managing the pandemic, including ignoring early reports of the emergence of the virus, and being too close to China.
"It is clear the repeated missteps by you and your organization in responding to the pandemic have been extremely costly for the world. The only way forward for the World Health Organization is if it can actually demonstrate independence from China," Mr Trump said in the letter. 

"If the World Health Organization does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days, I will make my temporary freeze of United States funding to the World Health Organization permanent and reconsider our membership in the organization," he said.

Earlier Monday, the WHO said it would launch an independent review of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

During a virtual assembly, Dr Tedros acknowledged there had been shortcomings and told the assembly he welcomed calls for a review.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.


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Source: AFP, SBS


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