President Trump used a virtual speech at the United Nations General Assembly to assail China on Tuesday, blaming Beijing for the coronavirus pandemic that has stricken the world while weighing on the global economy.
“The United Nations must hold China accountable for their actions,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Trump, facing a re-election challenge while grappling with the Covid-19 outbreak, economic strain and racial unrest, sought to blame China for not taking steps to protect other countries from the pandemic
“In the earliest days of the virus, China locked down travel domestically while allowing flights to leave China and infect the world,” Mr. Trump said. “The Chinese government, and the World Health Organization—which is virtually controlled by China—falsely declared that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission.”
Minutes later, Chinese leader Xi Jinping defended his country’s record on the coronavirus. “Facing the virus, we should enhance solidarity and get the world together,” Mr. Xi said. “Several vaccines developed by China are in Phase 3 clinical trials.”