Coronavirus: US politicians are telling ‘barefaced lies’, China says, after Donald Trump repeats call for Covid-19 damages

Foreign ministry spokesman in Beijing says White House is trying to shirk responsibility for the spread of Covid-19

US president repeats threat to demand compensation as polls show Americans are increasingly likely to blame China

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US President Donald Trump has repeated his threat to seek compensation. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:00pm, 28 Apr 2020Updated: 12:40am, 29 Apr 2020

Beijing has lashed out at American politicians for “telling barefaced lies” over the devastating Covid-19 pandemic after US President Donald Trump and his senior aides renewed their threat to seek damages over China’s mishandling of the global crisis.

The escalating war of words between the world’s two largest economies – especially Trump’s latest remarks pinning the blame on China and saying the US would investigate the situation – looks set to further poison the atmosphere and dim prospects for a diplomatic truce.

“They have only one objective: to shirk their responsibility for their own poor epidemic prevention and control measures and divert public attention,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday, without naming Trump.

“I don’t know what the motive is behind calling for an investigation, seeking damages and compensation. This is political manipulation.”

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang accused the US of “political manipulation”. Photo: EPA-EFE

On Monday Trump told a White House briefing “there are a lot of ways you can hold them accountable” when commenting on the latest polls showing increasing numbers of Americans blamed China for the pandemic and would back legal efforts to seek compensation.