Tensions between US and Beijing escalate as Trump calls Covid-19 ‘Chinese virus’
:: Critics say president used racist language
A WAR of words between the United States and China escalated last night after President Donald Trump called Covid-19 the “Chinese virus” and Beijing expelled journalists from leading American newspapers.
Mr Trump, who during a previous address called coronavirus the “foreign virus”, tweeted on Monday night: “The United States will be powerfully supporting industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!”
When asked about the phrase in a press conference, Mr Trump said: “China was putting out information, which was false, that our military gave this to them. And rather than having an argument, I have to call it where it came from. It came from China.”
When asked if he thought it created a stigma, the president replied: “No, I don’t think so.”
Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, has repeatedly referred to the “Wuhan virus”. Meanwhile, Weijia Jiang, a Chinese-born American with CBS News, tweeted yesterday: “This morning a White House official referred to Coronavirus as the ‘Kung-Flu’ to my face. Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back.”
Washington and Beijing, which already have strained relations over trade tariffs, have exchanged blame in recent days over the outbreak of the deadly virus.
Tough measures to stop the spread have been introduced across the US, which has now recorded more than 5,000 cases.
Last week Zhao Lijian, an official from China’s ministry of foreign affairs, accused the US military of bringing the virus to Wuhan, where it was first detected. The US summoned Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai over the comment and issued a “stern” warning to Mr Cui.
China’s foreign ministry responded yesterday to Mr Trump’s tweet, by saying: “Some US politicians have tried to stigmatise China... which China strongly condemns. We urge the US to stop this despicable practice. We are very angry and strongly oppose it.”
The World Health Organisation has advised against terms that link the virus to China or the city of Wuhan in order to avoid discrimination or stigmatisation.
After the president’s comment, the hashtag #ChineseVirus began trending on Twitter across America.
The White House is in talks with the Pentagon about how the military can be deployed to deal with the outbreak, Mr Trump said yesterday, including setting up field hospitals in states that experience a surge in cases.
The army could deploy field hospitals, known as “Mash” units (mobile army surgical hospital) or help renovate or expand existing hospitals.
“The Army Corps of Engineers is ready, willing and able. We have to give them the go-ahead if we find that it’s going to be necessary,” Mr Trump said during the same briefing. Gun shops have in recent days reported seeing a rise in weapons being bought by Asian-American customers fearful over a backlash. Videos have also been shared on social media of people shouting at Asian-looking commuters on the subway in New York.
Xinhua, China’s official news agency, said Mr Trump’s language was “racist and xenophobic”.
Bill de Blasio, New York’s mayor, has said the phrase risked “fuelling more bigotry” against Asian-Americans.
China’s foreign ministry last night revoked the press credentials of all American reporters at ‘The Wall Street Journal’, ‘The New York Times’ and ‘The Washington Post’.
European Union leaders have agreed to immediately impose travel restrictions on most foreigners entering Europe for at least 30 days to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The bloc has also set up fasttrack transport lanes to keep vital medical equipment, food and goods flowing smoothly inside the economic area.
As the virus case count in Europe climbed to over 60,000 and with more than 2,700 people dead, nervous national governments have introduced quick-fix measures such as partial border closures and quarantines with little consultation.
The EU sought over three hours of video talks to forge a united front against an illness that is also wreaking economic havoc.
The plan exempts longterm EU residents, diplomats, some healthcare and transport workers.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said her proposal for the restrictions “got a lot of support by the member states. It’s up to them now to implement. They said they will immediately do that”.
The EU leaders also agreed to coordinate the repatriation of EU citizens stranded outside the bloc, she said.