In today’s episode of **Dave Talks Politics**:
* US Exits WHO, $230M Tab Left
* Trump Fourth Term Troll + UN/WTO Risks
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1. **US exits WHO – leaves $230M unpaid dues tab**
- Reuters on 23 Jan 2026 reports US completes WHO withdrawal per Trump’s Day 1 executive order (20 Jan 2025) – cited mishandling COVID-19, reform failures, political influence (China); HHS Sec Kennedy Jr./State Sec Rubio joint statement marks first non-membership since 1948.
- AP on 23 Jan 2026 reports unpaid dues: $133-260M owed (2024-2025) – WHO faces budget crisis, staff cuts; US pivots to bilateral health ties, loses data access for pandemics.
- WaPo on 23 Jan 2026 reports reactions: Meeks (House Dem) warns risks US lives, cedes leadership to China; WHO’s Tedros hopes rethink – experts (NBC) fear flu/other disease coordination gaps.
- Link: [Reuters Exit](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-set-quit-world-health-organization-2026-01-22); [AP Dues Tab](https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-trump-bonds-gold-82e0341ef60b2719d79e1631e006bfed)
2. **Liz Truss Fox interview – UN “at risk,” end of rules-based order**
- Fox News on 22 Jan 2026 reports Truss urges Trump dismantle UN – “hasn’t worked for ages,” cites “bad decisions” (Chagos Islands/ICJ opinion); infiltrated by China, ineffective; shut down NYC HQ, repurpose building.
- Rules-based order: “Finished” – globalist cabal prioritizes int’l law over nations; Europe/UK “play both sides” US/China; praises Trump’s Greenland framework, Europe lags on security.
- Broader: Truss slams UN court opinions undermining sovereignty – ties to Trump tariffs/coercion critique.
- Link: [Fox Truss Interview](https://www.foxnews.com/media/former-british-pm-urges-trump-dismantle-un-citing-bad-decisions.amp); [Fox Video](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6388082925112)
3. **WTO “basically over”? – Trump’s disruptions erode it**
- PIIE on Jan 2026 reports WTO on “life support” – Trump’s tariffs (Greenland threats, reciprocal hikes) undermine rules; 2026 forecast 0.5% trade growth (down from 2.4% 2025) due to uncertainties.
- FT on Jan 2026 reports chief Okonjo-Iweala: Slams protectionism rise, but resilient (72% trade under WTO terms); Davos panel warns Trump’s “new rules” could “finish it off” – appellate body stalled since Trump I.
- Politico on Jan 2026 reports Trump admin hits WTO before crunch meets – neo-fascism at helm remakes system; but not dissolved, just weakened.
- Link: [PIIE WTO Reform](https://www.piie.com/blogs/realtime-economics/2026/can-rule-law-be-restored-world-trading-system); [FT Overhaul](https://www.ft.com/content/2ff1d4ce-4d63-4776-8e8c-ace6b3509f24); [Politico Disruptions](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/22/global-economy-resilient-trump-tariffs-davos-00136789)
4. **ICJ “basically over”? – other global institutions at risk**
- Al Jazeera on Jan 2026 reports ICJ (UN’s top court) at risk – Trump’s NSS/Monroe “Donroe” Doctrine dismisses int’l law (Venezuela seizure, Greenland threats violate sovereignty); UN chief Guterres accuses US “ditching” law for “raw power.”
- BMJ on Jan 2026 reports key UN institutions: Security Council (binding decisions) – US veto power, but NSS deprioritizes UN; General Assembly – non-binding, at risk if US pulls funding; ICJ – advisory opinions ignored (Chagos/Venezuela); WHO already exited.
- WaPo on Jan 2026 reports other: WTO DSM (dispute settlement) crippled; ICC/ICJ sidelined (NSS unilateralism); IMF/World Bank – US dominance, but Donroe focuses hemisphere, reduces global commitments.
- NYT on Jan 2026 reports rules-based order “collapse” – Venezuela/Greenland show exceptionalism siege on sovereignty; Truss echoes UN “end.”
- FT on Jan 2026 reports similar themes on order erosion.
- Link: [Al Jazeera Law Collapse](https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/1/21/the-us-attack-on-venezuela-and-the-collapse-of-international-law); [BMJ Trump Exit](https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s152); [WaPo UN Accusation](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/23/un-chief-accuses-us-ditching-international-law-as-trump-blasts-global-bodies)
5. **Impact on EU without these institutions – weakened governance, trade chaos**
- European Parliament on 2024-2026 reports EU relies on WTO/DSM for dispute settlement – without, trade wars escalate (tariffs unresolved); EU proposals for reform fail if US withdraws.
- Taylor & Francis on 2024-2026 reports EU impact: Loss of UN/WTO/ICJ erodes rules-based order – harder to enforce trade/sanctions (e.g., Russia); sovereignty threats (NSS unilateralism); economic isolation (no multilateral shields).
- Politico on Jan 2026 reports EU “overhaul” WTO needed, but dissolution risks “existential crisis” – fragmented trade, higher costs; EU pushes bilateral deals, but loses leverage without ICJ/UN backing.
- FT on Jan 2026 reports similar on EU crossroads.
- WaPo on Jan 2026 reports EU “at crossroads” – without institutions, multipolar vulnerabilities rise; migration/human rights (ICJ opinions) unenforceable.
- Reuters on Jan 2026 reports aligned views on EU isolation risks.
- Link: [European Parliament WTO Impact](https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2024/762342/EPRS_BRI(2024)762342_EN.pdf); [Taylor & Francis EU WTO Role](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07036337.2022.2073446)
6. **Trump’s fourth term troll post – unconstitutional bait**
- Times of India on 23 Jan 2026 reports Trump Truth Social post muses “fourth term” – teasing run despite 22nd Amendment ban (no more than two terms); echoes past “third term” jokes, Bannon trolling.
- AOL on 23 Jan 2026 reports intent: Classic troll – claims 2020 “win” makes current “third,” or baiting libs; Leavitt (WH press sec) laughs it off as “trolling,” notes “Trump 2028” hats selling fast ($50).
- Reality: Can’t run – Constitution clear; Davis (lawyer) calls idea “crazy”; but fuels frenzy, X viral as “trolling dead, Trump killed it.”
- Link: [Times of India Tease](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trump-teases-another-run-for-president-what-does-he-mean-by-a-fourth-term/articleshow/127271856.cms); [AOL Press Sec](https://www.aol.com/white-house-press-secretary-says-182009854.html)
OK team, so what does all this mean? Well, US exits WHO leaving $230M unpaid tab – Trump’s Day 1 order cites COVID mishandling; full Truth Social post trolls fourth term (unconstitutional bait, Leavitt calls “trolling”); Truss Fox interview urges dismantle UN (ineffective, China-infiltrated, end rules-based order). WTO “over” from Trump disruptions (low 2026 growth, DSM crippled); ICJ/UN institutions (Security Council, General Assembly) at risk per NSS/Donroe unilateralism (Venezuela/Greenland violations). Other like ICC/IMF weakened. EU impact: Trade chaos, lost dispute leverage, sovereignty threats, multipolar vulnerabilities – pushes bilateralism but loses global shields.
Now lets do 3 questions with dave:
1. US exits WHO with $230M tab – smart sovereignty move, or risky isolation ceding health leadership to China?
2. Trump’s fourth term troll post – harmless baiting, or signal of constitutional overreach testing limits?
3. Truss urges UN shutdown, WTO/ICJ “over” from NSS/Donroe – end of rules-based order? EU faces trade chaos/isolation without these – bilateral pivot enough?
Update/clarification in response to “@kinai01
12 hours ago (edited)
Very important Clarification Ukraine closed all border Crossing with Transnistria back in 2022 when Russian invaded Ukraine full scale. And Moldova officially banned all Russian Males from entering Moldova also in Feb 2022. The news you’re citing was from a Ukrainian news post that has since issued a retraction. There is no blockade of Transnistria they can easily come in and out through the Moldovan side. Russians Military personnel Have not been able to Conduct Rotation since February 2022. And no escalation yet. Check your sources better buddy. Before becoming what we call (полезный идиот) regards from Chișinău.”
The absence of any reports on a “new Transnistria blockade” starting January 2026 in Reuters, AP, FT, or NYT means there’s no verification from these reliable outlets for such claims. This supports the commenter’s view that exaggerated narratives are based on outdated or retracted info from less credible sources.
