Donald Trump drops ‘Chinese virus’ terminology in White House briefing, calls for protecting Asian-Americans
- ‘They’re amazing people and the spreading of the virus is not their fault in any way shape or form. They’re working closely with us to get rid of it’
- President’s remarks suggest he has moved away from blaming China for the pandemic
US President Donald Trump on Monday dropped his use of the term “Chinese virus” for the coronavirus that has been spreading worldwide and called for the protection of Asian-Americans.
“It’s very important that we totally protect our Asian-American community in the United States and all around the world,” Trump said at a White House briefing.
“They’re amazing people and the spreading of the virus is not their fault in any way shape or form,” he said. “They’re working closely with us to get rid of it. We will prevail together. It’s very important.”
Asked in the briefing why he stopped using the term, Trump cited a rise in “nasty language” being used against Asian Americans and seemed to suggest that blaming China for the pandemic that has caused more that 16,000 deaths globally is wrong.
“It seems that there could be really nasty language toward the Asian-Americans in our country and I don't like that at all,” the US leader said.
“These are incredible people they love our country and I'm not gonna let it happen so I just wanted to make that point, because they're blaming China, people are blaming China, and they are making statements to great American citizens that happen to be of Asian heritage, and I'm not going to let that happen,” he said.
The shift in tone was abrupt, and characterised what was the least combative briefing Trump has had with the media since he began leading them earlier this month.