It’s not a question of wanting to follow through but having the ability to do so, given the complex downward pressures brought by coronavirus epidemic.

In early February 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter to hail his excellent call with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the coronavirus outbreak. Trump called Xi a “strong, sharp and powerfully focused” leader who was successfully eradicating the coronavirus. That same day, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that Washington would spend up to $100 million to help Beijing curtail the virus, in addition to the nearly eighteen tons in medical supplies it had already sent to China.

The trade deal has been signed, but recent factors, like the novel coronavirus, make it challenging for China to meet its trade requirements. Instead of moving forward, the US-China relationship has moved sideways.

In addition to the devastating human toll of the coronavirus outbreak, the economic damage of a manufacturing shutdown in China is likely to be profound.

When Dr Soumya Swaminathan was appointed Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization, she became the first-ever person to achieve this role. In the COVID-19 outbreak, she offers not only the skill and experience from 30 years in clinical care and research, but the ability to translate that into impactful programs shaped by equal parts of science and compassion. Last week in Geneva, she gathered the best in global science and R&D funders at a WHO meeting – as part of a wider action plan for the people of Wuhan, and beyond. But, as the weeks speed up, is there enough time to make a lasting difference?

If China adopts the right policies and works successfully with the international community, there is a high chance that its economic growth will remain stable over the medium term, even with the coronavirus.

Accolades flow from around the world as an unparalleled effort is made to contain the epidemic. Many countries offer to help as the central government pledges transparency.

Unlike traditional security crises, which generally focus on issues of territory or regime stability and are backed by military power, other crises — such as the coronavirus outbreak — are best handled by multilateral cooperation.

Many lessons from America’s experience with terrorism can be applied to the coronavirus outbreak. The Chinese government and people should not give way to fear, which leads to irrational overreactions and only makes things worse.

Sharing of scientific knowledge is essential to the desired rapid application of treatments to patients. The United States should get involved in a big way, rather than overreacting with Chinese travel bans and creating panic around the world.