USPresident Donald Trump on Friday said that it will terminate its relationshipwith the World Health Organization (WHO) over handling of the coronavirusoutbreak in China and will begin the process of withdrawing special tradebenefits for Hong Kong because of the imposition of a new security law by theChinese government in the semi-autonomous city.
Thetwo measures, combined with the cancellation of visas for some Chinesecitizens, come as a rift between the two countries widens.
Trump, who has complained for weeks about the WorldHealth Organization as the virus death toll surged in the United States, saidthe global health body failed to adequately respond to the outbreak becauseChina has "total control" over the global organization.
He said that they have detailed the reforms that itmust make and engaged with them directly, but they have refused to act."Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, wewill be today terminating the relationship," said the President from the WhiteHouse.
The U.S. is the largest source of financial supportfor the WHO and its exit is expected to significantly weaken the organization.Trump said the U.S. would be "redirecting" the money to "other worldwide anddeserving urgent global public health needs," without providing specifics. Hesaid Chinese officials "ignored" their reporting obligations to the WHO andpressured it to mislead the world when the virus was first discovered.
Trump added that the administration would begineliminating the "full range" of agreements that had given Hong Kong arelationship with the U.S. that mainland China lacked, including on trade andextradition. He said the State Department would begin warning U.S. citizens ofthe threat of surveillance and arrest when visiting the city.
