Germany blasted US President Donald Trump's decision to sever ties with the World Health Organization, describing it as "disappointing" and a setback for global health.
The WHO "needs reform" if it is to "make any difference", Health Minister Jens Spahn said in a Tweet released in English, German and French. "And the EU must take a leading role and engage more financially," he said, adding this would be one of Germany's priorities when it takes over the bloc's rotating presidency on 1 July.
Mr Trump said yesterday that he was cutting US ties with the WHO, which he charged with failing to do enough to combat the initial spread of the novel coronavirus.