WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has negotiated separate health security pacts with more than two dozen nations, but experts warn that the fragmented approach undermines a coordinated global defense against future pandemics, according to a new health‑policy report.

Since 2017, U.S. officials have signed 28 bilateral agreements covering vaccine sharing, pathogen surveillance and laboratory capacity. The report argues that without a single, binding multilateral framework, data exchange remains uneven and resource allocation is duplicated, leaving gaps that could allow novel viruses to spread unchecked.

Clinical evidence supports a unified strategy. A 2022 WHO analysis found that countries participating in a shared surveillance network experienced a 15 % lower incidence of zoonotic spillover events compared with nations operating solo. The study linked coordinated testing protocols to an estimated 3.5 million infections averted worldwide between 2019 and 2022.

Regulatory alignment is another hurdle. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration retains authority only over products manufactured domestically, limiting its ability to fast‑track foreign‑origin vaccines in an emergency. “We need harmonized approval pathways so that a safe, effective vaccine developed abroad can be deployed here within days, not months,” said Dr. Raj Patel, senior advisor at the FDA.

Patient impact is already visible. In 2023, the United States exported 12 million doses of a novel influenza vaccine to partner countries, yet domestic high‑risk groups still faced shortages. “When the system is fragmented, the most vulnerable patients suffer the longest,” noted Dr. Emily Carter, epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, referencing delayed access in rural clinics.

Key Takeaways

• Dozens of bilateral deals lack the comprehensive scope of a global health treaty.
• Joint surveillance can cut pandemic‑related infections by up to 15 %.
• Regulatory harmonization is essential for rapid vaccine distribution to patients.

Until the United States adopts a binding international health agreement, the report concludes, the nation and its allies will remain exposed to preventable disease outbreaks, jeopardizing both global security and patient health.