Donald Trump is threatening a major shakeup of the World Health Organisation after criticising it for missing the coronavirus outbreak and complaining the United States pays far more than other countries like China.

Mr Trump campaigned on the United States, in his view, paying too much into NATO coffers, and also criticised the World Trade Organisation. But while he pushed for funding changes, the president did not move to essentially terminate either global entity.

He told reporters during his daily coronavirus briefing that he will discuss potential WHO reforms "next week," suggesting any changes might be related to how much Washington gives the organisation annually.

But in doing so, he exaggerated – again – the US funding contribution.

Mr Trump continues saying, depending on the year, that Washington pays $500m or $400m or $300m into the group. But budget documents show the US was slated to give the WHO around $120m in 2020 and his administration is proposing to cut that amount by half in 2021.

The organisation's leader this week responded to Mr Trump's criticisms by saying now would not be "the time" for a US funding reduction amid a pandemic.