Editorial | Last thing world hit by coronavirus needs is US political chaos
- Donald Trump’s refusal to concede defeat risks creating global uncertainty, damaging the fight against the pandemic, and undermining economic recovery
The smooth transition of power that the world had hoped for from the United States presidential election has not materialised.
Republican incumbent Donald Trump, rather than conceding defeat to his Democratic rival Joe Biden, is continuing his still unproven claims of voter fraud and legal challenges of counts and making decisions that create greater confusion. America is the world’s only superpower, so the expected uncertainty in coming months has implications for global stability.
For China, the region and world, this is a setback for major challenges, including the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the possibility of economic recovery and a return to normal trade, supply chains and travel.
Each day Trump refuses to accept defeat has an ever-higher cost for people in the US and around the world. The country still has no effective nationwide strategy to deal with the disease, and mixed messages are still being sent on mask-wearing.
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Political divisions mean that an economic rescue package to stimulate growth and ease unemployment remains far from reach. Fears of a constitutional crisis or civil unrest are causing concern about American stability and that would severely impact the global economy and markets.
