The Trump administration emphasized that US health and safety rules should rely on American scientific assessments over international organizations’ conclusions. Specifically targeting the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), affiliated with the World Health Organization (WHO), concerns were raised about the clarity and relevance of some cancer hazard assessments. The administration argued that IARC’s evaluations often fail to differentiate between potential hazards and actual risks in real-world scenarios.
The statement highlighted that IARC’s classifications could lead to public confusion and impact policy decisions based on limited or theoretical risks. It accused the agency of blurring the line between hazard and true risk, potentially undermining confidence in everyday products and industries. The administration also criticized IARC for promoting what it termed as politicized narratives that influence US legal and regulatory debates.
Furthermore, the administration cited examples like IARC’s comparisons of red meat to tobacco products, stating that such simplifications do not contribute to informed public health policies. The approach, aligned with President Trump’s “America First” agenda, aims to ensure evidence-based decisions that benefit American workers, consumers, farmers, and businesses. It emphasized the importance of transparent, evidence-based processes in regulatory decisions accountable to the American people.
