President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he was “terminating” the United States’ relationship with the World Health Organization, claiming that China had total control over the WHO.

In recent days Trump has reverted to blaming China and the WHO for the spread of the coronavirus in the US. The virus has left more than 100,000 dead in the US.

CBS News reports, however, that Trump had not always been as harsh, regarding China. According to the news channel, in the early days of the pandemic, the president applauded Chinese President Xi Jinping for his management of the pandemic. In January Trump tweeted, “China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus.” He continued, “The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!”

But as the coronavirus began to impact colossally on Americans, their president did an about turn. The deaths from the pandemic, in the US, have passed 100 000.

On Friday morning, the president simply tweeted “CHINA!” with no explanation. On Thursday, the president balked on confirmation as to the US’s commitment to the U.S.-China trade deal. He said, “We’ll be announcing what we’re doing tomorrow with respect to China. And we are not happy with China. We are not happy with what’s happened.” He added, implying that China was to blame for the coronavirus pandemic, “All over the world, people are suffering. A hundred and eighty-six countries — all over the world they’re suffering. We’re not happy.”

Trump also announce on Friday that he would be suspending the entry of certain foreign Chinese nationals to the US and sanctioning Chinese officials who have corroded the freedom of Hong Kong.

Umm Muhammed Umar