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July 9, 2018

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