In 2017, former President Donald Trump made a bold and controversial decision: he announced the United States’ withdrawal from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Agreement. These two decisions marked a dramatic shift in American foreign policy and reflected Trump’s “America First” ideology, which prioritized national sovereignty and self-interest over international cooperation. While Trump’s decisions were framed as efforts to protect American interests, the consequences were far-reaching, both for the organizations and for the United States itself. Let’s dive into what those impacts were, how they reshaped global dynamics, and how they influenced the country’s global standing.
The WHO: Undermining Global Health Cooperation
The World Health Organization has long been at the forefront of global health initiatives, coordinating international responses to pandemics, providing technical expertise, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare. Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, was seen by many as an abdication of responsibility in a moment of global crisis.
“We regret the decision of the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization. The WHO is not just a health organization, but the only body that can coordinate a truly global response to health emergencies. This decision puts lives at risk.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The immediate impact of the U.S. withdrawal was significant. The United States was the largest contributor to the WHO’s budget, accounting for approximately 15% of its funding. When Trump cut off the U.S. funding, it left a major gap in the organization’s finances, reducing its ability to respond to health emergencies worldwide. This decision was especially troubling given the pandemic’s explosive spread. Without the U.S. financial and logistical backing, the WHO was less equipped to help countries, particularly lower-income nations, in their fight against COVID-19.
On the global stage, Trump’s move also eroded trust in the U.S. commitment to international health efforts. Many countries rely on the WHO for guidance on best practices for disease control, vaccination campaigns, and health policy. By stepping away, the U.S. risked isolating itself from the very network that could have helped mitigate the pandemic’s impact. Trump’s actions weakened multilateral cooperation, which is vital in addressing global health issues that cross national borders.
The Paris Agreement: A Retreat from Climate Leadership
The Paris Climate Agreement, which was adopted in 2015 under President Obama, represented a historic global effort to combat climate change. It was a commitment by nearly 200 nations to limit global warming to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to aim for 1.5°C. Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the agreement in 2017 sent a clear message: America was stepping back from its role as a leader in global climate action.
The immediate impact of the U.S. withdrawal was a setback in global efforts to address climate change. As one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, the U.S. played a pivotal role in shaping the global response to climate change. By leaving the agreement, the U.S. not only weakened its own climate policies but also undermined international confidence in the global climate framework.
Trump’s withdrawal emboldened other countries to reconsider their commitments or delay their climate action. For example, Brazil under President Jair Bolsonaro scaled back its environmental protections, while other nations like Australia and Japan struggled to meet their climate targets. The absence of U.S. leadership made it harder for the Paris Agreement to achieve its goals, as it set a precedent for major polluters to back away from their obligations.
Moreover, the economic consequences of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement were significant. Renewable energy industries, which had been thriving with the support of government incentives, faced uncertainty. Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry received a temporary boost, but the long-term risks of climate change continued to grow. The U.S. missed the opportunity to lead the green revolution that could have spurred new jobs, innovation, and technologies.
Impacts on the U.S.: A Diminished Global Standing
Trump’s actions regarding both the WHO and the Paris Agreement had a profound impact on the United States itself. While the “America First” doctrine resonated with some domestic voters, the withdrawal from these key global initiatives damaged the U.S.’s standing as a leader in international diplomacy.
The most notable consequence was the erosion of American soft power. The United States had long been seen as a beacon of leadership in promoting global health and environmental protection. By withdrawing from both the WHO and the Paris Agreement, Trump sent a signal to the world that the U.S. was no longer committed to solving collective global challenges. This shift encouraged other countries, particularly China and Russia, to step into leadership roles on the global stage, filling the vacuum left by America’s retreat.
Domestically, Trump’s decisions sparked significant backlash. Public health experts, scientists, environmentalists, and business leaders criticized the withdrawals, emphasizing that they undermined American leadership in crucial sectors. The country’s reputation as a reliable and cooperative global partner was also tarnished. While some voters may have supported Trump’s nationalist stance, the broader long-term consequences for the U.S. included a diminished ability to influence global policy and a weakened diplomatic reach.
The Road Ahead
When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, one of his first actions was to reverse Trump’s withdrawals. The U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement and resumed its support for the WHO. These moves signaled a return to multilateralism and a recommitment to addressing global challenges. However, the damage caused by Trump’s actions continues to reverberate.
The world is left to grapple with the lessons learned from these withdrawals: the importance of global cooperation in solving health crises and the urgent need for collective action on climate change. As the U.S. seeks to rebuild its global leadership, the question remains: how can the country regain the trust it lost during the Trump era and work to create a more sustainable and equitable future?
In the end, Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO and the Paris Agreement revealed the delicate balance between national interests and global responsibilities. While the U.S. may have pulled back from these international efforts, the world’s interconnected challenges — from pandemics to climate change — have only become more urgent. As nations move forward, they must decide whether to engage in a new era of cooperation or retreat into isolation. The decisions made today will shape the future of global governance for generations to come.
