Commentary: COVID-19, the once-in-a-generation, global emergency the world faces

and US President Donald Trump’s description of Covid-19 as the “Chinese” virus – signposts a dangerous route to international breakdown. The vital work of epidemiologists and economic policymakers will be rendered useless if the leading powers choose to fight rather than co-operate.The coronavirus pandemic began in China, has its epicentre in Europe, and is spreading rapidly across the US. It cannot be beaten in one of these regions unless it is defeated in all three.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a meeting on coronavirus response with tourism industry executives in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., March 17, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis The “plumbing” of globalisation – the international agencies and bureaucracies that sit below most political sightlines – is largely intact.A sustained, successful effort against the pandemic – and we are talking about a process lasting a year or more – will depend above all, however, on global leaders maintaining the trust of their citizens.

There will certainly be a role for the G20. But co-operation across so disparate a group will be possible only if the most powerful nations first establish a foundation. A second step would be to put to one side all their present trade disputes – suspending punitive tariffs and countermeasures. Mr Trump may need some persuading, but it should not be beyond the wit of his advisers to present such a move as a generous response to the assistance Beijing is now offering other governments.For Mr Xi, the simple fact of the quartet would offer testimony to China’s leading role in global governance.

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