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Germany says Trump split from WHO will harm global health
BERLIN, May 30, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Germany on Saturday blasted US
President Donald Trump’s decision to sever ties with the World Health
Organization, describing it as “disappointing” and a setback for
global health.
The WHO “needs reform” if it is to “make any difference”, Health
Minister Jens Spahn said in a Tweet released in English, German and
French.
“And the EU must take a leading role and engage more financially,”
he said, adding this would be one of Germany’s priorities when it
takes over the bloc’s rotating presidency on July 1.
Trump said Friday he was cutting US ties with the WHO, which he
charged with failing to do enough to combat the initial spread of the
novel coronavirus.
The president first suspended funding to the UN agency a month ago,
accusing it of mishandling the global pandemic.
Then, earlier this month, he accused the Geneva-based WHO of being a
“puppet” of China, and said the funding freeze would become permanent
unless it made “substantive improvements”.
Spahn described Trump’s latest move as “a disappointing backlash for
International Health.”
BSS/AFP/MRU/1809hrs