America Still a Global Leader Even in a Time of Crisis

Townhall.com ^ | April 2, 2020 | Victor, Davis Hanson

[Kaslin]

A current global myth alleges that America under the Trump administration is not leading the world fight against the coronavirus in its accustomed role as the postwar global leader.

Yet the U.S. was the first major nation to issue a travel ban on flights from China, with Donald Trump making that announcement on Jan. 31. That was a bold act. It likely saved thousands endangered by Chinese perfidy and soon became a global model. None of the ban's loud critics are today demanding it be rescinded.

In typically American fashion, as we have seen in crises from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, after initial shock and unpreparedness, the U.S. economic and scientific juggernaut is kicking into action.

Already the U.S. is transitioning from a long, disastrous reliance on Chinese medical supplies and pharmaceuticals. In ad hoc fashion, companies are gearing up massive production of masks, ventilators and key anti-viral supplies.

The number of known deaths from the virus -- for now the only reliable data available -- shows a fatality rate of about 7-8 per million people in the United States. That per capita toll is analogous to Germany's and one of the lowest in the world among larger nations.

The U.S. economy in 2019 -- with its near-record-low unemployment, inflation and interest rates -- was the most robust in the world. It will soon be the key to rebooting global production and trade.

Confronting China over patent and copyright theft, technological appropriation, dumping and currency manipulation was not just in the U.S. interest, but for the global good.

[Travis McGee]

[silverleaf]

If Trump is not leading the world on this......who is?

You cannot exactly call it leadership when China poisons the planet and then sends some medical gear ( much of it contaminated or faulty) as a goodwill gesture.

Thanks no thanks, Mr Xi. Keep your contaminated test kits and masks, along with your plastic rice, melamine powder baby formula and poison dog treats.

Unlike Trump, Its not like you are holding 2 hour press conferences everyday with your china virus task force, is it?

[hardspunned]

This will be the most important American election in history. Trump would lead a revitalization of America’s economy, then the world’s. A democrat president will try to regulate us out of this, resulting in a worldwide, long term recession or depression. Trump would hold the Chinese accountable. A democrat would concede global dominance to the Chinese for the foreseeable future. A post Wuhan plague Europe, with no Trump, would be similar to to post WWII Europe with no Marshall Plan. The world economy hangs in the balance of this election.

[frogjerk]

The number of known deaths from the virus -- for now the only reliable data available -- shows a fatality rate of about 7-8 per million people in the United States.

WHAT?!?!?