Opinion: Trump's new deflection trick: China allowed Wuhan residents to go abroad despite lockdown

By Xu Yawen

China is once again the scapegoat for Trump's failed response to the pandemic. He claimed that China locked down Wuhan to block infected residents from traveling to Beijing, but allowed them to go to the United States and Europe. Is that true?

President Donald Trump reacts to a question during a news conference on the coronavirus at the White House, Feb. 29, 2020. [Photo: AP/Andrew Harnik]

China put over 11 million Wuhan residents under lockdown from Jan. 23 in order to curb the spread of the virus to the rest of the country and rest of the world. When local traffic (buses, subways, private vehicles), waterways, and airplanes were all suspended, it was nearly impossible to leave. Then on Feb 1, Trump ordered a travel ban on anyone coming from China, especially Chinese citizens. No exit here. No entry there. Even Trump himself has many times claimed to have done an excellent job. Which Trump was telling the truth?

This White House fabrication is nothing new. Not long ago, the virus was still 'man made' from a lab in Wuhan. Secretary Mike Pompeo claimed to have enormous evidence, until top US epidemiologist Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US military and the US intelligence community, the WHO, the world’s leading scientists and America's close Five Eyes allies all dismissed "the Chinese lab theory." Allowing Wuhan residents out is one of many White House rumors; and China is one of the many scapegoats it has attempted to pass the buck to.

Just look at the GOP playbook as instructions for Republicans on how to excuse the president by not mentioning him but others.

With the election coming in November, unemployment at a record high, social unrest over George Floyd's death raging across America and Trump’s disapproval rate growing, we expect to see more groundless finger-pointing down the road.

It won't help solve any of the problems on the ground, except for diverting attention and shifting blame.

Note: Xu Yawen is a reporter of China Plus. The article reflects the author's own views.