President Donald Trump is getting rare validation from Germany, whose health minister says Trump "has a point" the World Health Organization needs to answer to its "accountability" amid the global coronavirus pandemic that originated in China.

The U.S. "does have a point — the WHO needs to reform its governance and accountability," German Health Minister Jens Spahn told Financial Times. "We need to figure out exactly where the money goes."

It has been reported the U.S. government was the No. 1 funder of the WHO, with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation No. 2.

"In the middle of a crisis, when you're putting out fires, you can't talk about reforming the fire brigade," Spahn told FT. "First, we have to deal with the crisis, and only then talk about the WHO."

With Trump halting funding pending an investigation, if not a change in leadership, the Gates' foundation – largely critical of the Trump administration – became the top funding source.

"Of course the U.S., Germany, Europe — we can do a lot on our own, but there are a lot of countries in the world that can't," Spahn told FT, adding he would be "very sorry" for the U.S. to permanently distance from the WHO. "They need support, and they should get it. If Ebola breaks out in another part of the world, then we'll no longer be able to control."

• US Envoy to Germany Ric Grenell Confirms Plans to Step Down
• German Governor's Plan to End Blanket Virus Rules Criticized