(Image source from: cnn.com)
It is not a new fact knowing that there has been a constant unrest between US and China, be it for their trade ties or the comments thrown around by Donald Trump about the “Chinese virus” that started a global pandemic.
Both US and China have reached a truce over their constant fued over the name term of the coronavirus, finding it is both countries best interest in cooling down when there are already bigger challenges in the world.
With the clashes, it looks like President Donald Trump has stepped down from referring to the novel coronavirus as “Wuhan virus” and has also stepped back from criticizing Beijing’s response ever since a telephonic call that happened on March 26, 2020.
Secretary of the State, Mike Pompeo addressed the situation saying, “We know that this is a global pandemic, and this is the time for every country to work together to resolve that.”
Beijing caused ripples through the United States, infuriating the officials when they stated saying that it was the US that brought the novel coronavirus to China.
Cui Tiankai, China's gentlemanly ambassador to Washington expressed his affection towards America and the citizens, saying that China would help them in any way possible during this time of crisis.
State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus even welcomed the remarks made by Tiankai stating asked them to share better clear data on the coronavirus spread and allow more freedom of speech for the people around.
Ortagus stated saying, “True cooperation requires transparency and real actions, not just rhetoric.”
Many observers have pointed out the fact that Trumps accusations on Beijing is nothing but a political move as he is on the blunt end of receiving criticisms for being unable to control the death toll in US which has already surpassed 12,000.
But, US is in current need of China’s help during this time of crisis, especially when the medical supplies are less in the country and China is one of the primary source of the imported masks.
Elizabeth Economy, director of Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations stated saying, “Washington certainly does not want to alienate Beijing to the point that it bans the sale of medical equipment to the United States.”
Economy doesn’t believe that this new found tone on US’ part is going to help change the bitterness between the country that has already been around.
The Trump administration is also going to confront China on a number of prospects, be it the human rights record and the military buildup or even the data that they have shared surrounding the Covid-19 outbreak.
On China’s part, the goal there is to keep Trump calm and try him from abstaining the blame and damage and keeping the channel open between them.
At this point, China’s main aim is to revive the global demands for its exports. The country also sees a possible strategic opportunity to expand its power further as the alliances of Trump start becoming weak with the days.
By Somapika Dutta
