Trump Lashes out at China’s ‘Lack of Cooperation’ As Massive Coronavirus Bill Crashes In Senate

By Staff, Agencies

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is "upset" with China over a lack of cooperation and information early on in the coronavirus crisis.

"I'm a little upset with China. I'll be honest with you..., as much as I like President Xi and as much as I respect the country and admire the country," he claimed.

Trump’s frustrations were compounded on Sunday when a trillion-dollar Senate proposal to rescue the reeling US economy crashed to defeat after receiving zero support from Democrats, who said the Republican proposal failed to sufficiently help millions of Americans devastated by the coronavirus crisis.

The bill, which proposed up to $2 trillion in funding for American families, thousands of shuttered or suffering businesses and the nation's critically under-equipped hospitals, failed by a 47-47 vote when it needed 60 to pass, despite intense negotiations between Republicans, Democrats and President Donald Trump's administration.

The shock result, which heaps major pressure on Congress to come together and greenlight a federal government intervention, is almost certain to have a profound effect on stock markets when they open on Monday.

Trump did not sound sanguine during the White House coronavirus update with reporters, saying 'I can't tell you when the US economy will be reopened."

“We’re at war, in a true sense we’re at war,” Trump said as he orders emergency medical stations with 4,000 beds to be deployed to California and other worst-hit areas, including New York and Washington State.

The virus emerged in China late last year, after first being detected at a market that sold wild animals for human consumption in the central city of Wuhan.

China has since sowed doubts over whether the virus began in Wuhan, while portraying itself as a savior in the global fight and a role model for quarantines.

China on Monday reported no new local cases of the virus, but confirmed another 39 infections from overseas.