Trump's 'Spear' and Xi Jinping's 'Shield'... UN General Assembly Speech Showdown (Update)

Trump "China Virus Must Be Held Accountable"... Strengthening Pressure on China and the UN
Si "No Politicization of COVID-19, No Cold War"

Delegations from various countries attending the 75th United Nations General Assembly are watching a video speech by U.S. President Donald Trump.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The leaders of the United States and China clashed head-on over the responsibility for the COVID-19 pandemic during their virtual speeches at the United Nations General Assembly on the 22nd (local time).

U.S. President Donald Trump called for holding China accountable, while Chinese President Xi Jinping countered that the COVID-19 situation should not be politicized.

This year’s UN General Assembly keynote speeches were held virtually for the first time in history due to COVID-19. Accordingly, President Trump, representing the U.S. where the UN is headquartered, and President Xi, representing China, delivered their speeches consecutively on the first day.

Despite the virtual format, both leaders actively engaged in offensive and defensive maneuvers as if anticipating each other’s intentions. President Xi appeared to fend off President Trump’s attacks. Conflicts over COVID-19, as well as economic, security, and human rights issues, were also highlighted.

Delegations from various countries attending the 75th United Nations General Assembly are watching Chinese President Xi Jinping's video speech. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Trump, who spoke first, launched an offensive against China as soon as he began his speech. He said, "We are fiercely battling the invisible enemy, the China virus, which has taken countless lives in 188 countries."

He continued, "In the early stages of the virus outbreak, China locked down domestic travel but allowed international flights, spreading the infection worldwide," and pointed out, "Even as they canceled domestic flights and locked citizens in their homes, they criticized my travel bans on their country." He insisted, "The UN must hold China accountable for their actions," emphasizing China’s responsibility for spreading the pandemic globally.

While emphasizing the role of the UN, President Trump targeted China. He said, "If the UN is to be an effective organization, it must focus on the real problems of the world," listing "terrorism, oppression of women, forced labor, drug trafficking, human and sex trafficking, religious persecution, and ethnic cleansing of religious minorities." This was interpreted as pressure on the UN linked to China. It also implied potential conflicts with the UN if China is not held accountable.

The World Health Organization (WHO), from which the U.S. government announced withdrawal accusing it of siding with China during the COVID-19 crisis, is also a UN-affiliated international organization. The World Trade Organization (WTO), with which the Trump administration has conflicts, is also a specialized agency under the UN. The more the U.S. increases pressure on multilateralism, the more conflicts with the UN are inevitable.

Following President Trump, President Xi focused more on defense than offense. He called for strengthening solidarity among countries to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and urged an end to politicization. Although he did not mention the U.S. directly, this was seen as a rebuttal to President Trump’s China responsibility theory, which uses the COVID-19 issue to attack China in the international community and leverage anti-China sentiment domestically during the U.S. presidential election.

President Xi likened opposition to globalization, seemingly targeting President Trump’s America First policy, to an ostrich burying its head in the sand and Don Quixote charging at windmills.

The two leaders also clashed over the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in responding to COVID-19. President Trump accused, "The WHO, effectively controlled by the Chinese government and China, falsely declared there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission," and added, "Later, they lied that asymptomatic people do not spread the disease." Conversely, President Xi emphasized that the WHO should play a leading role in tackling COVID-19.

President Xi dismissed the possibility of a Cold War with the U.S. He said, "It is natural for countries to have differences, but problems should be resolved through dialogue," emphasizing that he has no intention of engaging in a Cold War with other countries and warning that the world must avoid falling into a clash of civilizations.

Meanwhile, neither leader made any mention of the North Korean denuclearization issue during the day.