17 June 2020 | Volume 79 | Edition 7
The Expanding Sino-American Schism
Jeremy Simpson
Source: Politico
Disputes over the coronavirus and Hong Kong’s autonomy in the last few months have led to an even more hostile relationship between the United States and China
T
he already frigid diplomatic relations between the United States and China have become even more hostile over the last few months, driven by animosity over Hong Kong and the coronavirus. With more sanctions and a potential ban on Chinese graduate students, the Trump administration seems to be preparing to continue its two-year brawl with its chief international foe. “With more sanctions and potentially a ban on Chinese graduate students, the Trump administration seems to be preparing to continue its two-year brawl with its chief international foe.” A recent attempt by Beijing to consolidate power in the region not only inspired disgust from pro-democracy advocates, but also from the United States. The most recent in a long history of past manoeuvres, this attempt aims to put in place far-reaching security measures on Hong Kong. The Chinese Government’s actions have ostensibly catalysed the Trump administration’s decision to end its unique relationship with Hong Kong
– stripping away existing commercial treaties and an extradition treaty. During his announcement on Friday, 29th of May, Trump indicated further sanctions on China could be in the works. In recent years, Chinese encroachment on the autonomy of Hong Kong has become a major discussion point, both on the global stage, and in the region itself. Protestors took to the streets and sieged the Legislative Council Complex last year in response to the Fugitive Offenders Amendment Bill. This Bill, although eventually revoked by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, would allow the extradition to China, something that pro-democracy advocates felt undermined civil liberties. “In recent years, Chinese encroachment on the autonomy of Hong Kong has become a major discussion point both on the global stage and in the region itself.” The US has also found itself in a clash with Chinese authorities over the COVID-19 pandemic, for which President Trump has blamed China. He claims that their mismanagement of the outbreak in its initial stages are the reason why the
United States was caught off guard. Prominent US public health officials, like Dr Anthony Fauci, have indicated that there was “a lot of pushback [in the early months] about shutting things down” from the Trump administration. Furthermore, Mr. Trump has blamed the World Health Organisation (WHO) for not adequately identifying the risks of this disease in early January, a fact numerous experts and governments around the world dispute. Claiming that the WHO is “pro-China”, the Trump administration has also severed its support for the organisation. The US has also found itself in a clash with Chinese authorities over the COVID-19 pandemic, for which President Trump has blamed China”. With the threats of tariffs as well as the possibility that Chinese graduate students will have visas revoked, the new areas of contention between the US and China seem to be the Coronavirus and Hong Kong. This comes after two years of intense animosity between these two countries due to trade disputes, further widening the already evident schism.