President Trump on Monday pushed back on claims his administration was anti-breastfeeding after a report said U.S. delegates to the World Health Assembly tried to change a resolution to make it more supportive of infant formula manufacturers.
“The failing NY Times Fake News story today about breast feeding must be called out. The U.S. strongly supports breast feeding but we don’t believe women should be denied access to formula. Many women need this option because of malnutrition and poverty,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
The failing NY Times Fake News story today about breast feeding must be called out. The U.S. strongly supports breast feeding but we don’t believe women should be denied access to formula. Many women need this option because of malnutrition and poverty.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2018
The New York Times reported on Sunday that U.S. delegates wanted to remove language that governments would “protect, promote and support breast-feeding.” Sources told the newspaper some delegates told Ecuador, who was planning to introduce the resolution, the country would face tariffs on their exports and decreased military aid if they pursued the measure.
The State Department did not return the Times’ request for comment. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that it tried to water down the language, but denied applying pressure to Ecuador.
[Also read: Trump: Twitter should delete New York Times, Washington Post in midst of crackdown on fake accounts]
