Trump’s WHO Exit Plan. Chaos, Grudges, And A Dash of Déjà Vu, How Trump’s Shakeup Could Breakup America’s Bond With The World.

Donald Trump’s second act isn’t officially here yet—he takes office on January 20—but the man is already making huge waves. This time, he’s setting his sights on the  WHO (World Health Organization), vowing to yank the U.S. out of the global health body on day one of his presidency.

And it’s not just talk. If Trump gets his way, the WHO would lose its biggest donor—the U.S. chipped in a hefty 16% of its funding in 2022-2023. Global health experts are calling this move potentially “catastrophic,” with Professor Lawrence Gostin from Georgetown Law warning that America’s absence would leave a massive void in global health leadership and funding.

It would also slash WHO’s ability to tackle health crises and force cuts to its scientific staff. But it’s not just about the WHO. Gostin points out that this decision could backfire on the U.S. too. Without the WHO, America risks being left in the dark when the next pandemic inevitably hits.

Been There, Tried That

However, this isn’t Trump’s first rodeo with the WHO. Back in 2020, he started the withdrawal process during the height of COVID-19, accusing the organization of being too cozy with Beijing and bungling the pandemic response.

He even sent a fiery four-page letter to the WHO, cut off funding, and declared, “We’re out.”

At the time, Trump’s administration claimed they’d redirect funds to more deserving global health causes. Some Republican lawmakers cheered him on, with Sen. Josh Hawley calling for a shift to “credible and transparent” health agencies. But Trump’s exit strategy fizzled out, and Joe Biden rejoined the WHO just months after taking office.

Beyond WHO. Trump’s Second-Term Playbook

But this is just one piece of Trump’s larger puzzle. His campaign promises include a over 10% across-the-board tariff on imported goods, with the audacious suggestion that the revenue could replace income tax.

Economists have been quick to point out that these tariffs would ultimately hit American consumers, driving up prices on everything from groceries to electronics. Yet, Trump’s unpredictable style leaves room for potential trade deals—reports indicate that the EU is already preparing an offer in anticipation of his moves.

Domestically, Trump’s second term is shaping up to be a battleground. Former officials like retired Marine Corps General John Kelly and ex-Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley have openly criticized Trump’s rhetoric, with Milley even expressing fears of being recalled to active duty for a court-martial.

Trump’s campaign promises to target “enemies within,” including Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff, have raised serious concerns about civil unrest and constitutional crises.

Josh Marshall, a journalist who has closely followed Trump’s trajectory, predicts that the next four years could see “more intense” public and political confrontations than his first term.

Trump’s Return. Crisis in Europe

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wasted no time congratulating Donald Trump on his return, but the relationship is filled with tension.

Trump has previously dismissed Zelenskyy as an overly adept “salesman” who exploited American generosity. His promise to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war “in one day” raises an uncomfortable dilemma for Europe – Will its leaders acquiesce to a settlement that favors Russian President Vladimir Putin, or will they find a way to continue supporting Ukraine without American involvement?

This immediate challenge pushed a deeper question – Can Europe unify to safeguard its own security in the absence of unwavering U.S. leadership?

Nevertheless, Trump has asserted that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours though he remains tight-lipped on the specifics of this ambitious plan. His confidence was on full display during a recent trip to Paris, where he attended the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral and met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss pathways to peace.

This marked Trump’s first face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy since his November electoral victory. Following their discussion, Trump took to Truth Social to urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war, suggesting that even China could play a role in brokering peace.

Zelenskyy’s Optimism Amid Challenges

Ironically, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his reflections on a productive trilateral meeting with Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace. Praising Trump’s resoluteness and Macron’s efforts in organizing the discussion, Zelenskyy emphasized their shared goal: ending the war in Ukraine in a “just way.”

Zelenskyy wrote,

“President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organizing this important meeting. We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace. We agreed to continue working together and keep in contact. Peace through strength is possible.”

A Weakened Russia and Changing Dynamics in Syria

Meanwhile, in his Truth Social post, Trump painted a picture of a weakened Russia, struggling under the dual pressures of a faltering economy and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which he claims has left nearly 600,000 Russian soldiers wounded or dead. He also pointed to a dramatic development in Syria, where rebels entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee—a move Trump attributed to Russia’s declining interest in the region.

“Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now,” Trump declared, citing Ukraine’s resilience and Israel’s military successes as contributing factors.

Middle East

Trump’s first administration took credit for brokering the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. However, the omission of Palestinian concerns came to a head with the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The Biden administration has since urged Israel to exercise restraint—largely to no avail.

In parallel to his efforts on Ukraine, Trump issued a warning regarding hostages held in Gaza during Israel’s ongoing war. Following a video release by Hamas showing American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander pleading for help, Trump made it clear that any hostages still held by January 20, 2025—the date of his anticipated return to the presidency—would trigger severe consequences.

Posting on X, Trump declared,

“There will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!”

Trump’s strong rhetoric found a receptive audience in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who publicly thanked him for his unwavering support. Netanyahu’s statement on X read, “This adds another force to our continued effort to release all the hostages. Thank you, President Trump.”

With Trump’s return, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may find an even more supportive ally in his push for a “Greater Israel,” a controversial project that could redefine the region’s geopolitical arena.

For China, Trump’s foreign policy presents a complex puzzle. While his disdain for foreign wars might offer some relief, his unpredictability raises alarms. Taiwan, in particular, could face heightened uncertainty as Trump’s policies take shape.

Trump 2.0 Global Economic Fallout Awaits.

Even as Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in for his second term on January 20, the world braces for a return of his “America First” doctrine, this time with even sharper edges.

Throughout his campaign and in recent weeks, Trump has signaled an aggressive stance on trade, immigration, and global monetary policies, positioning himself as the ultimate defender of U.S. economic and geopolitical dominance.

Tariffs and BRICS Showdown

One of Trump’s most striking post-election pronouncements has been his threat to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations—including India—if they attempt to move away from the U.S. dollar in international trade. Using his favorite platform, Truth Social, Trump issued a stark warning:

“The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER. We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency nor back any other currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar. Otherwise, they will face 100% Tariffs and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy.”

The message, which included a thinly veiled jab at BRICS nations needing to “find another sucker,” has already sparked concerns about escalating economic tensions. While the feasibility of a BRICS currency is still in question, Trump’s rhetoric may strain relationships with major trading partners and complicate global economic recovery efforts.

Targeting Neighbors

Not content with BRICS threats, Trump also promised sweeping tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Declaring a 25% tariff on all goods from both nations as one of his first executive orders, Trump framed the move as retaliation for illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

“Thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before,” Trump posted. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!”

Trump has also taken aim at Canada, mocking the country’s leadership and suggesting that Canadians might benefit from becoming the “51st state.” On Truth Social, he questioned the rationale behind U.S. subsidies to Canada and referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “Governor of the Great State of Canada.”

“It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in-depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!”

While his comments were laden with his signature bravado, the underlying message was clear – Canada, like other trade partners, will face significant economic consequences if it doesn’t align with Trump’s trade policies.

Critics argue that such measures could disrupt the tightly interwoven economies of North America and alienate two of the U.S.’s closest allies. Supporters, however, hail the proposal as a bold step to secure U.S. borders and protect domestic industries.

Targeting China

Trump announced an “additional” 10% tariff on Chinese goods, citing the influx of fentanyl into the U.S. as the primary reason. In a fiery post on social media, he expressed frustration with China’s failure to curb drug trafficking despite assurances of harsh penalties for offenders.

“Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump declared.

Critics argue that these tariffs could worsen tensions with Beijing, potentially triggering a trade war that would disrupt global supply chains and drive up costs for American consumers.

Reciprocal Trade 

Trump has also vowed to implement “reciprocal trade” policies, which would impose identical tariffs on goods imported from countries that levy tariffs on U.S. products.

“If anybody charges us 10 cents, if they charge us USD 2, if they charge us 100 per cent, 250 per cent, we charge them the same thing,” Trump said during a campaign event. “Everything’s going to disappear, and we’re going to end up having free trade again. If it doesn’t disappear, we’re going to take in a lot of money.”

While his supporters view this as a bold move to level the playing field, critics warn that such policies could lead to retaliation from trading partners and strain diplomatic relations.

Mass Deportations

On immigration, Trump has confirmed plans to declare a national emergency to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants. In response to speculation from Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton, Trump succinctly replied, “TRUE!!!”

This move would mark one of the most aggressive immigration enforcement policies in U.S. history, raising questions about its humanitarian and legal implications.

The Verdict? Brace Yourself

Trump’s return to the White House promises to be anything but dull. Whether it’s a fast-tracked exit from the WHO or sweeping economic reforms, the ripple effects will be felt far beyond America’s borders.

So, is this Trump being the bold disruptor he claims to be, or is he just nursing an old grudges?