Fact Check: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified economic nationalism in both the U.S. and China.

Fact Check: "The COVID-19 pandemic intensified economic nationalism in both the U.S. and China."

What We Know

The claim that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified economic nationalism in both the U.S. and China is supported by various studies and analyses. The pandemic has exacerbated existing tensions between the two countries, particularly in the context of the ongoing trade war that began in 2018. According to a study published in US–China Relations: Nationalism, the Trade War, and COVID-19, rising nationalist sentiments in both countries have significantly contributed to the trade conflict, which became more pronounced during the pandemic (Boylan et al.). The authors note that the U.S. adopted a protectionist stance under the Trump administration, promoting an "America First" agenda that resonated with domestic audiences feeling economically marginalized.

In China, the pandemic has led to a resurgence of nationalism as the government has sought to assert its global standing and counter U.S. criticisms. The same study highlights that Chinese leaders have mobilized nationalist sentiments in response to perceived threats to their sovereignty and global status (Boylan et al.). Additionally, a paper titled International Trade Norms in the Age of Covid-19 discusses how the pandemic has coincided with a rise in economic protectionism and nationalism, particularly in the U.S., where the administration's response to the pandemic has been marked by a retreat from global leadership and increased isolationism (Albertoni & Wise).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple scholarly articles and analyses indicating a clear link between the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened economic nationalism in both the U.S. and China. The US–China Relations article provides a detailed exploration of how nationalist grievances have fueled the trade war, suggesting that the pandemic has intensified these sentiments (Boylan et al.). The authors argue that both nations have used the pandemic as a backdrop for nationalist rhetoric, with the U.S. blaming China for the virus and China countering with its own narratives of victimization and resilience.

Moreover, the International Trade Norms article emphasizes that the pandemic has disrupted global trade flows and exacerbated economic uncertainties, leading to a rise in protectionist policies (Albertoni & Wise). This aligns with observations from other sources, such as a Brookings Institution article, which notes that the pandemic has shifted perceptions of economic leadership, further entrenching nationalist policies in both countries (Brookings).

While the sources cited are credible and provide a comprehensive overview of the situation, it is essential to recognize that they may reflect the perspectives of their authors and the contexts in which they were written. The articles come from established academic and policy institutions, lending them a degree of reliability. However, interpretations of nationalism can vary, and the framing of the pandemic's impact may differ based on political and ideological biases.

Conclusion

The claim that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified economic nationalism in both the U.S. and China is True. The evidence presented in scholarly articles and analyses indicates a clear correlation between the pandemic and the rise of nationalist sentiments, which have further fueled the ongoing trade conflict between the two nations. Both countries have leveraged the pandemic to bolster nationalist narratives, leading to increased protectionism and a retreat from global economic interdependence.

Fact Check: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified economic nationalism in both the U.S. and China.