Japan’s Abe Calls for Nations to Support WHO After Trump Cuts
Japan’s Abe Calls for Nations to Support WHO After Trump Cuts
(Bloomberg) --
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged the international community to rally around the World Health Organization and said the body’s problems should be addressed once the coronavirus outbreak is contained.
His comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said this week he would halt payments to the WHO, accusing the organization of failing in its basic duty to control the coronavirus and taking China’s claims “at face value.”
“The cooperation of the WHO is essential in fighting the coronavirus,” Abe told reporters in Tokyo. “Japan is not thinking at all of cutting or ending its contributions. Now is the time to support the WHO,” he added.
Abe, known for his efforts to cultivate ties with Trump, said the body had problems that should be reviewed when the virus pandemic dies down, to make sure it is ready for any similar situation in the future.
“There are various opinions about the WHO,” he said “There are opinions that it isn’t politically neutral.” Japan has long called for Taiwan to take part in the body as an observer, he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended the work of the WHO on a conference call with Trump and the rest of the Group of Seven leaders on Thursday. Abe said he had told the group that they must work with the WHO because it is the only international institution they have to tackle the current crisis.
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