London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Aug 01, 2025

US and China should focus on common enemy, not politics

Conversation between leaders of two greatest powers following the G20 online summit has raised hopes they will cooperate in fighting the coronavirus pandemic

The Group of 20 online summit was an overdue attempt by the world’s major powers to lead a global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, comparable with their prompt action in the global financial crisis.

Just as importantly, it set the stage for presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump to speak later by phone in an attempt to ease tensions between China and the United States.

Finger pointing over the spread of the coronavirus has diverted attention and contributed to a fragmented and weakened global response.

Now that the front line of the pandemic has shifted to Europe and the US with increasingly devastating consequences, the world cannot afford the distraction of bickering between its two greatest powers.

It needs China and the US to cooperate and be seen jointly leading the international fightback.

Trust-building between the two is paramount if they are to set aside rivalry and focus on containment, finding a cure and developing a vaccine.

Xi’s call on the US to take steps to cooperate in containing the pandemic reflects China’s determination to play a key role in turning the tide.

An obstacle to cooperation is the stigmatisation of China with references by US officials to the “Wuhan virus” and the “China virus”. In this respect, complaints by the Chinese side about such remarks resonated with the official communique issued by the G20 nations.

In a veiled swipe at US officials, including Trump, over the virus labelling, Xi said: “the virus knows no boundaries and ethnicity, and it is our common enemy. The international community can only defeat it through working together”.

More obliquely, the G20 statement said: “We stress the importance of responsible communication to the public during this global health crisis.”

In a reaffirmation of multilateralism that echoed Xi’s remarks, the communique said the pandemic was “a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and vulnerabilities”, and the virus “respects no borders”. G20 leaders pledged to do “whatever it takes” to minimise the social and economic damage, including investing in medicines and vaccines.

In a tweet, Trump said he had a good conversation with Xi and acknowledged that China had been through much and developed a strong understanding of the virus. “We are working closely together,” he wrote.

We trust that this means divisive rivalry will be put aside.

In a tweet, Trump said he had a good conversation with Xi and acknowledged that China had been through much and developed a strong understanding of the virus. “We are working closely together,” he wrote.

We trust that this means divisive rivalry will be put aside.

Trump may have his political agenda with an election later this year. China’s rise as a world leader may not figure in it. But a battle between all of mankind and its most lethal contagion for a century is no time for politics.

Indeed, the two sides share the bottom line. Neither stands to win if they don’t cooperate against a common enemy.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
×