US says it completed withdrawal from World Health Organization

US President Donald Trump's administration said the United States has completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Trump claimed the organization mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic response and is under the inappropriate political influence of some member states. The US Department of Health and Human Services made the announcement on Thursday, which marked the end of the one-year notice period required for withdrawal.

Meanwhile, the WHO argued that the US has unpaid contributions, and has to meet its financial obligations upon its exit. But the health department official said there is no text included in the agreement with the WHO that imposes a condition that "any payment must be made prior to effectuating the withdrawal."