Amid rising tensions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to ease tension between the US and China over blame-game over the outbreak, US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping had a phone conversation to discuss how to cooperate in the fight against the pandemic.
“Just finished a very good conversation with President Xi of China. Discussed in great detail the Coronavirus that is ravaging large parts of our planet,” Trump tweeted Friday. “China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the Virus. We are working closely together. Much respect!”
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Trump also refrained from referring to the disease as the “Chinese virus,” as he did in the past week. Jinping, in the meantime, said, “Both sides will benefit if we cooperate, both will lose if we fight each other.” Jinping also said, “The relationship of China and the US is at a critical juncture. Cooperation is the only correct choice.”
As of Thursday night, the number of those infected with the virus in the US surpassed those in China. The country currently has 81,321 cases, while China has 81,285. In wake of these alarming numbers, in one of the largest economic measure in history, a $2 trillion was sanctioned by the US House and Senate leaders to aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic.
US government officials are calling on retired healthcare workers and doctors to come back as they expect the current healthcare workers might get burdened or fall ill themselves.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, on Wednesday, condemned “the disinformation campaign that the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in to try to deflect from what has really taken place here.” He called the disease the “Wuhan virus.”
As per a report sent out after the phone conversation between the two leaders, the Chinese side is willing to continue to provide information with the USwithout reservation. The report also added that China understands the current difficulties of the US and is willing to provide support within its ability.
