As China continues to challenge the U.S., Washington should avoid engaging in inflammatory actions and rhetoric that will undermine its international presence and ultimately empower Beijing.

Conspiracy theories about the start and spread of COVID-19, such as those promoted by a few Chinese and American officials and commentators, threaten the cooperation and transparency needed to counter the pandemic.

The pandemic has accelerated the US pushback against China across the military, economic, and communication dimensions to new heights. There are serious risks of a US-China race to the bottom.

The disastrous failure of the Trump administration to contain COVID-19 will result in catastrophic 2nd quarter results. So, Trump is targeting China as the scapegoat while risking his re-election on domestic unrest, fatal geopolitics, and a global depression.

Trump’s inclusion of guests of honor looks a lot like an attempt to encircle China. Worries about a “new cold war” between China and the U.S. are not unfounded, as progress is being whittled away.

Italy is yet another country stuck at a fork in the road as it decides who a better ally would be: the US or China. Its current need for aid during the coronavirus pandemic may be a deciding factor in critical debates, such as whether or not Huawei should be allowed to operate within its borders.

American politicians are trying to blame China for the nation’s suffering, but the fact is that it’s suffering because of the incompetence of its leaders. All paths of blame lead directly to President Donald Trump.

The prospect of confrontation without dialogue between China and the United States is unthinkable, even dangerous — especially during a pandemic. But unless something is done soon, that’s where things are heading.

Weak leadership is clearly undercutting America’s global standing: Few Europeans are looking to Washington anymore. COVID-19 has left a devastating economic and political scar already, and things are only going to get worse.

China has increased its global outreach during this pandemic by sending critical medical supplies and financial aid to countries in need. The motive behind such diplomacy aside, China is providing some desperately-coveted help in the eleventh hour and saving lives around the world.