The Trump administration has introduced a new directive requiring countries receiving U.S. health aid to share data on pathogens that could trigger epidemics — a move that has raised alarm among global health experts over issues of equity and access.
According to a memorandum from the U.S. State Department, nations benefiting from American health assistance will need to share pathogen samples and genomic sequencing data within five days of an outbreak. However, the document does not guarantee that vaccines or treatments developed from this shared data will be made available to those same countries.
Experts warn that this approach risks repeating the inequities seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when poorer nations that first identified emerging threats often struggled to access life-saving tools developed later.
The proposal also comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) continues negotiations over a global pandemic treaty aimed at ensuring fairer sharing of health resources and benefits during future health emergencies.
The U.S. memorandum — which would be signed by both Washington and recipient nations — also outlines targets for tackling diseases like HIV and measles and reducing maternal mortality. The aid framework extends through 2030, while the pathogen-sharing agreement would remain in effect for 25 years.
This initiative follows the broader shift in U.S. foreign aid under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, which emphasizes “self-reliance” for partner nations and the pursuit of bilateral agreements to manage global health cooperation.