The move to quit the Geneva-based body, which the United States formally joined in 1948, comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over the coronavirus outbreak. "China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $40 million per year compared to what the United States has been paying which is approximately $450 million a year," he said. "Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs," Trump said on Friday. The World Health Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's announcement. 'ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL'The United States currently owes the WHO more than $200 million in assessed contributions, according to the WHO website.

Source: bd News24 May 29, 2020 23:15 UTC