HEALTH MINISTER Simon Harris has risked the wrath of Donald Trump by urging the countries of Europe to pledge their full support to the World Health Organization (WHO).
It comes just over 24 hours after Trump announced he would be withdrawing the US supply of funds to the WHO, accusing them of a China-centric approach to tackling Covid-19.
Harris insisted that Ireland is "absolutely" behind the WHO and will offer support where it possibly can, before urging others to do the same.
"Now is not a time for countries to be taking pot-shots at an organisation that is working on a global level to save lives," he said in a thinly veiled swipe at Trump.
"And particularly working to help poorer countries, and they need our support."
On Wednesday, Tanaiste Simon Coveney slammed the US President for his decision to withhold WHO funding, describing the move as an "indefensible decision" in the midst of a global crisis.
Mr Trump has argued that the WHO has failed to carry out its "basic duty" in their response to the pandemic, and stresses that they must be held accountable as a result.
Though it appears that, for now, nations won't be following in Trump's footsteps.
