BEIJING — Two weeks ago, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, pleaded with the United States to step back from the brink and find ways to work together. Just days later, he complained to his Russian counterpart that the United States had “lost its mind, morals and credibility.”The question now is what China can do about it. The Trump administration’s broad assault on China has left its leadership with few options that would not threaten a complete breach in relations. It could also hurt the Chinese economy when it is already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and the global fallout. A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry vowed again on Thursday that the government would retaliate in kind to the closure.

Source: International New York Times July 23, 2020 13:07 UTC