U.S. rejects global pandemic agreement approved by WHO

The United States has rejected a global pandemic treaty adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO), saying it threatens national sovereignty and lacks clear language.

The United States has officially declined to join a World Health Organization agreement designed to improve global coordination for future pandemics. The treaty was adopted by WHO member states in May after three years of negotiation in Geneva. It aims to ensure equitable access to vaccines, treatments and diagnostics during health emergencies.

In a joint statement released Friday, the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the decision. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agreement gives too much authority to the WHO and was developed without sufficient public input.

The treaty requires participating manufacturers to provide 20% of pandemic-related vaccines, medicines and tests to the WHO. The goal is to support lower-income countries in accessing life-saving supplies during outbreaks.

According to the U.S. statement, the agreement uses language that is too vague and broad. Officials warned that this could result in international responses shaped by political ideals such as solidarity, rather than fast and effective action. Rubio and Kennedy said rejecting the agreement helps protect U.S. sovereignty.

U.S. negotiators had already withdrawn from the discussions after President Donald Trump began the formal process of pulling the U.S. out of the WHO when he took office in January. 

Kennedy, who has long questioned vaccine safety, criticized the WHO in a video address to the Assembly during its vote. He said the agency had failed to learn key lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic when shaping the new agreement.

Although U.S. officials say the rejection defends national authority, legal experts point out that the treaty does not override domestic health policies. The agreement explicitly leaves final decisions in the hands of national governments.

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