Bilateral tensions deteriorated further this week, as U.S. backlash continues to mount over Beijing.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to advocate for online Chinese casinos despite their affiliated risks has exacerbated anti-Chinese sentiment among the Philippine people. He may have to reform his support of the industry, lest he face the deterioration of his long-cultivated friendship with Beijing.

As China continues to challenge the U.S., Washington should avoid engaging in inflammatory actions and rhetoric that will undermine its international presence and ultimately empower Beijing.

Conspiracy theories about the start and spread of COVID-19, such as those promoted by a few Chinese and American officials and commentators, threaten the cooperation and transparency needed to counter the pandemic.

The pandemic has accelerated the US pushback against China across the military, economic, and communication dimensions to new heights. There are serious risks of a US-China race to the bottom.

The disastrous failure of the Trump administration to contain COVID-19 will result in catastrophic 2nd quarter results. So, Trump is targeting China as the scapegoat while risking his re-election on domestic unrest, fatal geopolitics, and a global depression.

Trump’s inclusion of guests of honor looks a lot like an attempt to encircle China. Worries about a “new cold war” between China and the U.S. are not unfounded, as progress is being whittled away.

Italy is yet another country stuck at a fork in the road as it decides who a better ally would be: the US or China. Its current need for aid during the coronavirus pandemic may be a deciding factor in critical debates, such as whether or not Huawei should be allowed to operate within its borders.

American politicians are trying to blame China for the nation’s suffering, but the fact is that it’s suffering because of the incompetence of its leaders. All paths of blame lead directly to President Donald Trump.

The prospect of confrontation without dialogue between China and the United States is unthinkable, even dangerous — especially during a pandemic. But unless something is done soon, that’s where things are heading.