Biden Vows to Rejoin WHO During His First Day As President
Former Vice President and presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden vows to rejoin the World Health Organization if he is to win the upcoming 2020 general elections.
Biden’s statements came after President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed that the country had officially severed its ties with WHO, following recent reports of a coronavirus cover-up. In a social media post, Biden wrote: “Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health.” He continued, “On my first day as President, I will rejoin the WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage.”
Americans are safer when America is engaged in strengthening global health. On my first day as President, I will rejoin the @WHO and restore our leadership on the world stage. https://t.co/8uazVIgPZB
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 7, 2020
On Tuesday, Democrat Sen. Robert Menendez announced that the administration had formally withdrawn its membership from the WHO. In a Twitter post, the Democrat, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, claimed that Congress had received a notice that the administration had backed away from the WHO “amidst the pandemic.” The Senator also lambasted the President’s decision by describing it as “chaotic” and “incoherent.” Mendez also believed that the move would only be counterproductive as it would not save lives, but instead make Americans “sick.”
Congress received notification that POTUS officially withdrew the U.S. from the @WHO in the midst of a pandemic.
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) July 7, 2020
To call Trump’s response to COVID chaotic & incoherent doesn't do it justice. This won't protect American lives or interests—it leaves Americans sick & America alone.
Trump had previously declared his intention to make WHO accountable for the alleged “Chinese cover-up”. Back in January, the health organization praised China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak and described their response as “very impressive.” WHO also denied the magnitude of the virus, and their failure to raise the alarm to other countries against the spread. As a result, Trump accused the WHO of siding with China, despite the fact that the U.S. was paying approximately $450 million every year. The sum was not even close to the $40 million of China’s annual contribution.
Other Democrats also criticized Trump’s decision to leave WHO. Former Secretary of State and failed Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton described it as a self-inflicted disaster.” Clinton believed that the move might be the last thing that the country needs.
This is the very last thing we need, so of course the Trump administration is doing it. What a self-inflicted disaster. https://t.co/US0KyvLHRa
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 7, 2020
As the election season draws to a close, Biden also announced another proposal, one that is set to “rebuild” the country’s supply chain infrastructure to prevent future shortages of medical supplies and equipment.
Biden claimed that the end goal is to stop the country’s reliance on foreign supplies as a way to prepare for “future crisis.” This move ultimately defeats the Democrat’s previous attempt towards globalization by moving manufacturing companies from the U.S. to Asia, a decision which left thousands of blue-collar workers unemployed.