United States officials think China covered the degree of the coronavirus outbreak– and how infectious the disease is– to stockpile on medical products needed to react to it, intelligence files show.
Bottom line:
- The Department of Homeland Security declares China increased imports and reduced exports of medical materials
- The Trump administration has stepped up its rhetoric against Beijing amidst prevalent domestic criticism
- There is no public evidence to recommend China’s handling of coronavirus was a deliberate plot to purchase up the world’s medical supplies
Chinese leaders “purposefully concealed the seriousness” of the pandemic from the world in early January, according to a four-page Department of Homeland Security intelligence report dated May 1.
The discovery comes as the Trump administration magnified its criticism of China, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stating on Sunday that country was accountable for the spread of illness and should be held responsible.
The sharper rhetoric accompanies administration critics saying the United States Federal government’s response to the infection was sluggish and inadequate.
President Donald Trump’s political opponents have implicated him of lashing out at China, a geopolitical opponent however critical US trading partner, in an attempt to deflect criticism in your home.
