BERLIN, May 30 — Germany today blasted US President Donald Trump’s decision to sever ties with the World Health Organisation, 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 July 1.

Trump said yesterday 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.

The president first suspended funding to the UN agency a month ago, accusing it of mishandling the global pandemic.

Then, earlier this month, he accused the Geneva-based WHO of being a "puppet” of China, and said the funding freeze would become permanent unless it made "substantive improvements”.

Spahn described Trump’s latest move as "a disappointing backlash for International Health.” — AFP