Germany Says Trump Split from WHO Will Harm Global Health

On Saturday, Germany criticized US President Donald Trump's move to cut relations with the World Health Organization, labeling it as "disappointing" and a blow to global health.

The WHO “needs reform” if it is to “make any difference”, Health Minister Jens Spahn said in a Tweet released in English, German and French.

“And the EU must take a leading role and engage more financially,” he said, adding this would be one of Germany’s priorities when it takes over the bloc’s rotating presidency on July 1.

Trump said on Friday that he was breaking off US ties with the WHO, which he suspected of failing to do anything to combat the initial outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The President withheld aid to the UN Agency for the first time a month ago, accusing it of mishandling the global pandemic.

Then, earlier this month, he accused the Geneva-based WHO of being a "puppet" of China and said that the freeze would be permanent unless "substantial improvements" is made.

Spahn described Trump’s latest move as “a disappointing backlash for International Health.”

Source: AFP