Trump cites 'Chinese virus' in bid to shape narrative

Washington and Beijing trade blame for outbreak as tensions soar

20200318N Trump points at a reporter

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus response briefing at the White House on Wednesday. © Reuters

ALEX FANG, Nikkei staff writer

NEW YORK -- The novel coronavirus crisis has caused U.S.-China relations to nose-dive despite a break in trade tensions, as the two countries race to control the narrative around the global pandemic.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday referred to the U.S. response to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, as "our war against the Chinese virus," marking the first time he used the controversial term in an official White House briefing.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.