A new era in international politics has started. Earlier this week, Donald Trump returned as the president of the United States and minutes after his inauguration, he announced major changes that would impact the world.

Of the major announcements he has made, what is of concern to the Pacific and Samoa is the impact of the United States withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and its funding to the World Health Organisation.

The US provides US$500 million (more than SAT1.5 billion) to WHO and the withdrawal of major funding of that amount will affect nations that rely on external finances to maintain their public health system.

Trump’s reasoning for the withdrawal from WHO is that China which has a higher population than the US, only contributes US$32 million to the WHO while the US contributes a far greater amount. He has said where is the fairness in this?

A good question. For the US, they will focus on helping themselves more and less others. It seems they will only scratch the backs of those who are willing to scratch theirs. Pacific is a small trade partner, so expect less consideration. This is perhaps the time for the Pacific Islands Forum to stand together in unity and put into action what was agreed in the 2050 Blueprint.

For Samoa, the impact of this action is great. Director General of Health Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma expressed concern.

Aiono outlined the critical role the WHO plays in supporting Samoa’s healthcare system and its capacity-building initiatives, stressing that the U.S. departure could significantly impact the island nation's health services.

Samoa, a developing country with limited resources, has historically relied on external support to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure.

WHO’s assistance in technical support and capacity-building has been vital, particularly in light of the country’s ongoing struggle to secure adequate government funding for healthcare.

The U.S. contributes about 15 per cent of the WHO’s budget. Although this may seem like a small amount, it is significant in the broader context. When the budget shrinks, it inevitably affects initiatives in Samoa.

"I'm afraid that with the U.S. withdrawing from WHO, it will affect us financially in terms of assistance provided to us. That’s why I’m not happy," Aiono said.

WHO has been instrumental in supporting Samoa in various areas, from providing scientific research and evidence-based advice to facilitating vaccination campaigns and ensuring public health safety during large events.

For Samoa, a nation that has historically relied on global partnerships to bolster its public health infrastructure, the effects of the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO could be far-reaching, potentially undermining efforts to improve healthcare outcomes and respond to health crises.

Similarly, the decision to retract from the Paris Agreement results in the US not contributing to the loss and damage funds which was seen as a lifeline for many Pacific island nations and developing states. The US remains one of the biggest contributors to global warming and climate change. Its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement means it will not work towards bringing the global temperature down to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

For Trump, climate change is a hoax, for Pacific nations like Samoa, it is a reality we are living in. Maybe the Los Angeles fires and the hurricanes last year are not enough for one of the world’s richest men to realise that it is not a hoax.

Trump’s leadership will also evolve the geopolitics in the region. It looks like there will be less US interest in the Pacific. This could mean a reversal of US decisions made in the last four years including the opening of more embassies, a stand-alone ambassador to Samoa, and retraction of US Navy presence in the Pacific to combat illegal fishing and other crimes on the high seas, there could be less US aid to the region and perhaps ongoing programmes could be halted.

There will also be a likely influx in the number of Samoans being sent back home as Trump is getting ready to send illegal immigrants to their homelands. We do not know yet if Trump has plans to stop the Compacts of Free Association agreement with Palau, Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. These countries depend on this.

Trump is about ‘Making America Great Again’ and that does not include the world. Brace for impact, the repercussions of Trump’s decisions will be seen in the years to come.