China not excluded, as Donald Trump halts US funding for WHO alleging Covid mismanagement

After several warnings to  World Health Organization (WHO), United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday, halted US funding to UN body after alleging mismanaging coronavirus crisis. He anunced this decision during his daily White House briefing. Trump has blamed WHO's "very much sided" approach to China on coronavirus crisis, asserting that many people are unhappy with global health ncy and feel that "it's been very unfair".

Trump said: "Today I am instructing my ministration to halt funding of WHO while review is conducted is assessing WHO's role in severely mismanaging and covering up spre of Coronavirus. In an obvious reference to China, he said "Everybody kws what's going on re." American taxpayer provides about 400 million to 500 million dollars per year to WHO in contrast China contributes only 40 million dollars or less. As highest contributor, it is our duty to insist on full accountability."

Trump h threatened to cut US funding to WHO. “We're going to put a hold on money spent to WHO” and ded, “We pay for a majority or biggest portion of ir money,” he h said. In response, WHO director-general Tedros ham Ghebreyesus h urged United States to join hands with China in combating disease rar than indulging in a blame game saying, "If you don't want more body bags, n you refrain from politicizing it." 

Meanwhile, on April 11, Trump h teased an anuncement about WHO saying "As you kw, we give m (WHO) approximately $500 million a year and we're going to be talking about that subject next week. We'll have a lot to say about it." 

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Coronavirus crisis in US

Leing number of worldwide cases of vel coronavirus COVID-19 infection, United States has become new epicentre of pandemic surpassing China, Italy, and Iran. With over 600,000 cases to date, Trump ministration has been facing momentous criticism for failing to contain outbreak. Trump has also t anunced a nationwide shutdown to deal with coronavirus.

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Meanwhile, New York --  one of worst-hit spots in US, has seen a total of 10,834 deaths and over 202,208 COVID-19 positive cases. However, New York Goverr Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday during his daily briefing asserted that worst phase of coronavirus pandemic is over. According to him, numbers are saying that y can w control spre of virus.  First detected in China's Wuhan, at present, re are around 1,986,554 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection across globe and disease has led to death of around 125,421 people. In a ray of hope, around 466,635 people are also reported to have recovered.

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Trump hints at consequences for China

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump in his press dress hits out at a reporter when asked about consequences for China. A visibly irked Trump asked reporter as to how she kws re "won't be consequences for China." Trump went on to say that China will find out consequences as and when it happens.

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