COVID-19, China & U.S.: What Will We Learn?

At some point, hopefully early next year, the coronavirus will fade away from our lives. Many of us will be vaccinated, and the options for treating COVID-19 will be better. The schools will fully reopen. Americans who have been working from home will return to their offices. And in the aftermath of the crisis, with a little time and perspective, we will face an enormous question: What did we learn? And what should change because of what we learned?

Will U.S. policy toward China change because of the pandemic? At minimum, the Chinese government stifled reports for three weeks that the virus was contagious and misled the World Health Organization. If the Chinese government would lie about a matter as consequential as this, how can we trust them on arms agreements, trade treaties, or any other geopolitical matter?

About the Author

Jim Geraghty

Jim Geraghty is the senior political correspondent of National Review.

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At some point, hopefully early next year, the coronavirus will fade away from our lives. Many of us will be vaccinated, and the options for treating COVID-19 will be better. The schools will fully reopen. Americans who have been working from home will return to their offices. And in the aftermath of the crisis, with a little time and perspective, we will face an enormous question: What did we learn? And what should change because of what we learned?

Will U.S. policy toward China change because of the pandemic? At minimum, the Chinese government stifled reports for three weeks that the virus was contagious and misled the World Health Organization. If the Chinese government would lie about a matter as consequential as this, how can we trust them on arms agreements, trade treaties, or any other geopolitical matter?