This is an extremely important story, not least because of the way it was originally reported: That the US is trying to steal Germany's vaccine industry, and hoard the results for itself nytimes.com/2020/03/15/wor…
Regardless of whether the 'hoarding' part was true - US officials say it is not - the mere fact that Trump was trying to poach a major German company now brings to an end any notion of US-German, and indeed US-EU cooperation on this issue and any other.
Far more than any stupid Trump tweets or insults, this will be remembered: At a time of crisis, the US president tried to undercut his supposed allies. That - along with cancelling flights without consulting anyone - is what US "leadership" amounts to right now.
Chinese deliveries of equipment and medical advisors to Italy were certainly part of a propaganda campaign. But it will be remembered, in Italy, that the Chinese made a gesture. The US did not.
repubblica.it/solidarieta/vo…
repubblica.it/solidarieta/vo…
and here is reminder, especially to Europeans, that not every US politician thinks this way
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/…
