Archives of “May 4, 2020” day

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UK defence minister: China has questions to answer on the coronavirus

  
  Analysis

Comments by UK defence minister, Ben Wallace

  • But the time for post-mortem on the outbreak and China will be later
  • China needs to be transparent when the time comes
This will just stoke the flames of the narrative that the finger-pointing to China isn’t just going to be from the US. This is all a game of political chess but it could potentially have severe trade consequences since it does influence citzens and business decisions:

Trump says that if China does not buy US goods the US will end the trade deal

  
  Analysis
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Trump referring to phase 1 of the US-China deal

On the face of it this sort of comment makes sense – if one side does not uphold it then the deal is in danger yes. The more applicable interpretation though is that tensions between the US and China are increasing, not only placing the existing deal in peril but making progress on further phases unlikely, or at least slower.
Oh, here we go, more on another source of tension being stoked by the US administration:
  • Strong report coming on how the virus developed in China

US President Trump says expects 75,000 to 100,000 coronavirus deaths in the US

  
Analysis, Politics

You’ll recall the 100k figure was a base just a few week weeks ago:

You'll recall the 100k figure was a base just a few week weeks ago:
More:
  • some states not opening fast enough
  • says may be further flare ups – we may have to put out a fire
  • confident will have coronavirus vaccine by the ejd of the year
(I’ll slot in the usual warning about paying much attention to Trump’s promises of what is coming and when – for years Trump promised a trade deal with China. it took MUCH longer than he promised and when it came it was underwhelming and neither side is adhering to it much and the future trade talks and are now embroiled in acrimony. Long story short, a vaccine is not close and do not rely on vague and misleading promises).
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Trump speaking on Fox
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