Trump faulted the WHO’s coronavirus response. But it’s guided by rules the U.S. helped write
Once again, the World Health Organization finds itself in the crosshairs — the target of harsh criticism this week from President Trump. It is a position the global health agency has found itself in frequently.
Sometimes it has deserved criticism, as when it was slow to recognize the seriousness of the West Africa Ebola outbreak in 2014. But more often, it draws blame because it’s an easy target — an international body that seems to have more power than it actually does. In fact, its actions are guided by rules written by its member countries — including the United States.
On Tuesday the president threatened to put a hold on funding for the WHO, the UN agency leading the global health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Trump’s rationale was a bit confusing. Earlier in the day on Twitter, the for advising against banning travel from China to try to stop spread of the virus.
