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U.S. Used Threats to Try to Derail Resolution on Breastfeeding at World Health Assembly

HeadlineJul 09, 2018

The New York Times reports the Trump administration stunned public health officials and foreign diplomats at the World Health Assembly in Geneva by seeking unsuccessfully to derail a resolution to encourage breastfeeding, and to instead promote the interests of the billion-dollar infant formula industry. The U.S. officials reportedly first tried to water down the resolution. When that failed, the officials reportedly told Ecuador that if it introduced the measure, Washington would withdraw aid to the country and unleash punishing trade measures. Ultimately, after a slew of other nations refused to introduce the measure in fear of retaliation, Russia stepped in, and U.S. officials backed off from the threats.

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