The United States is sick with more than just the coronavirus. Its troubles have been brought about by years of neglect and its tendency to emphasize short-term political outcomes rather that the long-term good of the people.

The United States’ history of Chinese exclusion demonstrates that a healthy U.S.-China relationship ultimately depends on how the U.S. and its people view China. The growing anti-Chinese sentiment in the U.S. is setting the ever-important bilateral relationship on a dangerous path.

Given the series of barbs traded between the United States and China lately, many observers are concerned that trust between the two is eroding permanently. But it can be saved.

COVID-19 has made clear the need for joint cooperation between the US and China, but it has also revealed the two countries’ deep geopolitical divisions and a unique myopic stubbornness.

Joe Biden has recently taken a hardline stance on China despite his support for globalist ideals throughout his career. The shift is indicative of how an increasing distaste for China in the American public will be heavily influential for the administration that is voted into office in November.

Public opinion in the United States pins the blame for the COVID-19 pandemic squarely on China. After all, that’s where the virus started. And President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have fanned the flames by accusing China of covering up the outbreak and knowingly allowing the novel coronavirus to spread. But their supposed smoking gun, the tragic fate of the heroic whistleblower, Li Wenliang, fires only blanks.

An ideological competition has sprung from pandemic, and the space for the two sides to compromise and collaborate has narrowed rapidly. The two countries appear to be entering a lose-lose war in which the entire international community will suffer.

The advent of the novel coronavirus outbreak has created another breeding ground for conflict aside from the illness itself – social media. The spread of misinformation and the war of words occurring online is not conducive to the transnational cooperation that is necessary to alleviate this crisis.

A short-term spike in popularity during the COVID-19 crisis doesn’t necessarily mean a better chance of re-election for the incumbent U.S. president. Many current supporters still disagree with his overall political views and style.

The coronavirus poses a stark threat to humanity, and it’s only natural for people to worry. And that can lead to unfortunate misunderstandings, as in the recent accusation of racism against Nigerians.