Biden Said He'd Walk Back Trump's WHO Walkout. Can All The Damage Be Undone?

Biden Said He'd Walk Back Trump's WHO Walkout. Can All The Damage Be Undone? With official withdrawal looming, collaboration on global health issues was more difficult. Biden faces a challenging road to re-establish ties — and a U.S. leadership role. NPR.org

Back in July, President Trump's administration began the formal process of withdrawing the U.S. – and its critical funding – from the World Health Organization. Trump had accused the U.N. agency of conspiring with China to downplay the infectiousness of the novel coronavirus early on. The withdrawal was to be complete in July 2021.

As a candidate, Biden vowed to reverse the decision on his first day in office. Global health experts are counting on President-elect Joe Biden to restore and reimagine the U.S. relationship with the world's leading public health agency.

Under a Biden administration, "the relationship will be completely reset," says Rifat Atun, a professor of global health systems at Harvard University.

But a reset does not mean a return to the way things were. And experts warn it will take time and effort to restore the U.S. to a leadership position in global health.

Here are five key questions about the potential damage done by Trump's move — and what the future could hold.

Did the loss of U.S. funds make a difference?  ...

If money hasn't been a problem yet, what about scientific collaboration?...

Can the U.S. become a global health leader again? ...

Did Trump have a point about WHO shortcomings — and if so, can they now be addressed by the U.S.? ...

What about global vaccine plans?...