The US and China don't seem to spare any chance to attack each other with accusations even during the global pandemic that's plaguing people randomly irrespective of their nationality or background. Not surprisingly, politicians have managed to use the novel Coronavirus to exchange attacks in the political and media arenas.
China, US spar over origin of #coronavirus.
— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 13, 2020
US calls it "Wuhan virus" - Chinese Foreign ministry spokesman says "it might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan" https://t.co/uYAAtZnnHi pic.twitter.com/jMGWaPEhxH
Over the past few weeks, people from East Asian backgrounds all over the world have been reporting racist incidents and remarks by those associating them with the epidemic origin.
The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 16, 2020
US President Donald Trump and Fox News were no exception. Not only did Trump call the virus a foreign one a few days ago, but his latest tweet also described it as a "Chinese virus", which stirred a lot of backlash across the world.
Moreover, Fox News' Tucker Carlson blamed the virus on the Chinese government in his opening monologue last night. He also accused China of "hiding the truth about the virus from the rest of the world, leading to today's worldwide pandemic".
"The coronavirus is a Chinese virus, no matter what they're telling you, it originated in China & was able to spread to the rest of the world because the Chinese government hid the truth of what was happening early in the outbreak...they lied about it."pic.twitter.com/SlQ9i6U2It
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) March 17, 2020
Additionally, Carlson addressed American viewers asking them to blame the economic recession the country is approaching on "the Chinese virus."
Some online commentators showed support for these remarks, saying that China should take responsibility for "the mess it's created".
Its called the Coronavirus and its now as American as apple pie so stop racist comments.
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) March 16, 2020
Despicable. This virus doesn’t discriminate between who it infects and kills. You’re going to prison, traitor.
— Andrew C Laufer, Esq (@lauferlaw) March 17, 2020
Still, others questioned the motives behind such accusations and whether they stem from genuine concern or are just another attempt to help the US President keep his fan-base during the elections year despite the hardly-hit economy.
Thank you .Mr Trump! This vrisu made in China! It is a Chinese Virus! pic.twitter.com/c9hhWeRnb6
— Inty传媒 (@IntyMedia) March 16, 2020
Last week, a Chinese official also blamed the Coronavirus on the US army, saying that its members may have brought the virus to the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Guys they are going to cancel the elections because of Coronavirus and put the US in the State of Emergency so Trump stays in office, that's why they created the virus and have allowed it to spread like this. they planted it in China to hurt their economy. If I die you know why?
— Small Time Country Lawyer NKY Mayor Matty Nice B.N (@Thetruefeny_t) March 9, 2020
I hear China and trump worked together on coronavirus. China used it to stop Hong Kong protests. Trump is hoping virus comes back in fall so we have to quarantine and stop elections in November #CoronaVirusUpdates
— action jackson (@captainjack1058) March 16, 2020
