Trump blamed the WHO for accelerating the pandemic by opposing travel bans early on, adding that it failed to collect and share information promptly and transparently. The US has been the WHO’s biggest donor since its establishment in 1948, Mr. Trump said.

Following the decision, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the WHO needs support and this is not the time to cut contributions to WHO or any other humanitarian agency. He stressed the importance of global unity in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating its economic consequences.