President Tump’s actions would do little to blunt the significance of China and could eventually hurt the U.S. and others, critics say.
Washington| On Friday, United States President Donald Trump stated that he would withdraw funding from the World Health Organization, end Hong Kong’s special trade status and suspend visas of graduate students from China speculated of conducting research on behalf of their government.
The move escalates US tensions with China that have swelled during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Trump was unclear about the speed and full scope of the actions and his statements left numerous questions unanswered.
After the President’s speech in the White House Rose Garden, stock markets rose implying that investors had dreaded the president would take even more draconian measures against China.
Donald Trump has been showing displeasure at the WHO for weeks over what he has defined as an unsatisfactory response to the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 in China’s Wuhan city late last year.
US president said in a White House announcement that Chinese officials “ignored” their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured the organization to deceive the public about an outbreak that has now killed over 100,000 Americans.
US president stated a range of objections against China’s “malfeasance,” furiously denouncing the nation’s trade and security practices and its crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, as well as its importance at the W.H.O.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order suspending Chinese grad student’s entry into the nation saying China uses them and researchers to illegally procure intellectual property from the US.
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He said he would begin stripping away Hong Kong’s privileges with the United States, including an extradition treaty and commercial relations, with few exceptions.
President said the United States would be “redirecting” the fund to “other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs,” without presenting specifics.
The United States is the biggest source of financial aid for the WHO, and its exit is anticipated to significantly undermine the organization.
The US contributes about $450 million to the UN body while China provides about $40 million.
Globally, the total number of COVID-19 cases nears 6,000,000 while the death toll crossed 366,000, as per the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.
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