Trump Criticizes China in U.N. General Assembly Speech

In a pre-recorded speech to the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump criticized China for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying “the United Nations must hold China accountable for their actions.” Trump also called the virus “the Chinese virus,” criticized China’s environmental record, and said the World Health Organization was “virtually controlled by China.” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against a potential “Great Fracture” splitting the world between American and Chinese systems. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pre-recorded speech rejected “Cold War mentality” and warned that “[relations among countries] must not be lorded over by those who wave a strong fist at others.” Some coverage on all sides used sensationalist language like “blasted” and “fiery.” Coverage in some left-rated outlets included criticisms of Trump’s coronavirus response. Coverage in some right-rated outlets portrayed China’s coronavirus response as “botched” outside of descriptions of Trump’s criticisms.