Impact of the US policy shift on global health

Global health efforts constitute an important investment – both in the population's health and well-being, and in the economy and (health) security. Nevertheless, global health has seen a constant funding gap, negatively affecting health outcomes worldwide. This gap is not likely to close; if anything, it risks deepening as the United States (US), which has been a major global health actor and the main donor, recently took steps that signal a shift in the country's approach to global health efforts. On his return to the White House, President Donald Trump launched the restructuring of the executive branch bodies, dissolved the US Agency for International Development, and reduced funding and personnel for other relevant bodies. The suspension of the US foreign assistance, albeit with some waivers, has already impacted health programmes worldwide. US global health programmes risk facing significant cuts in funding for 2026, and US withdrawal from the World Health Organization is another challenge to the multilateral health efforts. Other US policies, such as tariffs and protectionist measures, are seen to pose further challenges to global health. In this context, stakeholders have called on the EU to step up its global health efforts. However, filling the gaps in financing, efforts and leadership in global health might be challenging for the EU, owing to budget limitations and competing priorities.