Trump has previously referred to a "foreign virus" in his speeches to the nation. That has been widely viewed -- particularly in Beijing -- as an attempt to blame China for the pandemic itself, obfuscating any responsibility US and other officials have for their own handling of it. On Monday, the number of cases of the virus outside China overtook those inside the country where the virus was first reported. 'Turn inward'By repeatedly emphasizing the supposed Chinese-ness of the virus, Trump may actually be playing into Beijing's hands. "COVID19 is now an American virus, an Italian virus, a Spanish virus," Lieu added.

Source: CNN March 17, 2020 19:30 UTC