UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lamented a “lack of leadership” among the international community’s response to the pandemic during a press conference in New York on Thursday.
His comments came amidst a mounting war of words between the US and China.
President Donald Trump said he believes China’s handling of the pandemic is proof that Beijing “will do anything they can” to make him lose his re-election bid in November.
Chinese state media Global Times tweeted Thursday that China has no interest in interfering with the US election, attributing the statement to the Foreign Ministry. The tweet tagged Trump.
“It is obvious that there is a lack of leadership,” Guterres said. “It is obvious the international community is divided in a moment where it would be more important than ever to be united.”
When asked about the need for cooperation between China and the US, Guterres replied: “The contribution of China and the United States, both to fight Covid-19, but to all other aspects in the development of international relations is, in my opinion, absolutely essential, and I hope that it will become possible in the future.”
“Now is the time to be determined,” he added. “Determined to defeat Covid-19 and to emerge from this crisis by building a better world for all.”
