The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will suspend funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).
In response to Trump’s announcement at Tuesday’s White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing, U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant released a statement denouncing the president’s intent to halt funding to the agency.
While the Chamber noted its support of a “reformed but functional World Health Organization,” it disagrees with cutting funding in the midst of a pandemic, Brilliant said in Wednesday’s statement.
“The Chamber supports a reformed but functional World Health Organization, and U.S. leadership and involvement are essential to ensuring its transparency and accountability going forward.”
According to the Chamber, cutting funds to the agency is “not in U.S. interest” at such a critical time.
“However, cutting the WHO’s funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization’s critical role assisting other countries — particularly in the developing world — in their response.”
The Chamber’s statement follows Trump’s announcement of his decision and his tweets starkly criticizing the agency, accusing it of mishandling the coronavirus.
“The W.H.O. really blew it. For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China-centric,” Trump previously tweeted on April 7. “We will be giving that a good look. Fortunately, I rejected their advice on keeping our borders open to China early on. Why did they give us such a faulty recommendation?”
According to Trump, the agency’s response and “faulty recommendation” prevented him from objectively evaluating the coronavirus before its rapid spread across the United States.
On Tuesday, he confirmed the U.S. funding to the agency would be suspended.
The W.H.O. really blew it. For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China centric. We will be giving that a good look. Fortunately I rejected their advice on keeping our borders open to China early on. Why did they give us such a faulty recommendation?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2020
As of Wednesday afternoon, confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. soared past 610,000.