Apparently, Republican lawmakers and other U.S officials firmly believe that China should be held accountable for concealing the origin and initial spread of coronavirus, fuelling up the deteriorating relationship between two world’s giants. Prior to this, two American states took legal actions against Beijing over ‘coronavirus cover-up’ — evidently, something serious coming up.
Long-term plan to punish China
In an article published on CNN, the Trump administration blamed the Chinese government for its lack of transparency, and is now formulating a long-term plan to punish China on multiple fronts for the coronavirus pandemic.
Image from CNN
Reliable sources inside the administration said that Trump administration plans to use various tools to punish China, including sanctions, canceling US debt obligations and drawing up new trade policies. These aim to project to everyone, especially to Chinese government, where they feel the responsibility lies.
“We have to get the economy going again, we have to be careful about how we do this,” anonymous administration official said. “But we will find ways to show the Chinese that their actions are completely reprehensible.”
Biden hitting back
However, it seems that Trump’s game of condemning China is part of an election campaign strategy against Democrat’s Joe Biden, brewing a November 2020 election showdown. For some, his action is as an apparent distraction from the overwhelming domestic criticisms on his errors in predicting and handling the crisis, which has killed 60, 000 Americans as of this writing.
AP Images
In a video, Biden slammed Trump for his careless, uncalculated measures in dealing the crisis. “The uncomfortable truth is that this president left America exposed and vulnerable to this pandemic. He ignored the warnings of health experts and intelligence agencies, and put his trust in China’s leaders instead.”
In a separate video, Tony Blinken, former deputy secretary of state and a foreign policy adviser to Biden, said, “President Trump went soft on China when it mattered most. Joe Biden will insist that China live up to its responsibilities.”
Trump: Biden went soft to China
Trump, who is known for his skills of conditioning through hammering home of negative narratives, is now using his weakness for his political advantage. His plans likely to accuse Biden, not him, going soft on China — months after he gave crispy praise to President Xi.
JIM WATSON/GETTY
“China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus,” Trump tweeted on January 24. He added: “The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!”
Last Saturday, hitting back to Biden, Trump tweeted: “China wants Sleepy Joe sooo badly.”
Meanwhile, for some, Trump’s latest decision is a plain hypocrisy.
Whoever wins the political confrontation over China, one thing is clear: world’s most important economic, diplomatic and security relationship is in critical relationship already on a steep downward slide.
