Advertisement
Trump coronavirus diagnosis means tougher US line on China, analysts say
- Positive test result will be used as justification for the US president to use harder China-bashing tactics, observers say
- News becomes top trending topic on Chinese social media
3-MIN READ3-MIN
US President Donald Trump’s coronavirus infection adds greater uncertainty to the presidential election and is likely to push him to take an even tougher line on China, mainland Chinese observers said.
The assessment came after Trump announced early on Friday that he and his wife tested positive for the pathogen, an extraordinary development that followed a positive test result for Hope Hicks, a close aide who travelled with the couple.
The diagnoses also come more than six months into a global pandemic and in the final stretch of a US presidential election race in which Trump has been accused of flouting expert advice on preventing the disease’s spread.
Advertisement
The coronavirus has already killed more than 200,000 Americans and more than 1 million people worldwide.
02:13
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump test positive for Covid-19
Liu Weidong, a US affairs specialist from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the diagnosis could be both good and bad news for Trump.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x