Desk:With Donald Trump’s return, the US government appears to be reviving its sharp stance. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has made a significant claim, stating that the COVID-19 pandemic was not natural but originated from a laboratory. During his first term, Trump repeatedly referred to the coronavirus as the “Chinese virus,” targeting Xi Jinping’s government. The new claim is crucial as the origin of the virus, which caused global lockdowns, economic crises, and millions of deaths, remains an unresolved question on the global stage. China has dismissed the report as politically motivated.
In its latest assessment, the CIA stated that the COVID-19 virus likely originated from a lab rather than occurring naturally. However, the agency did not provide concrete evidence to support this claim. The report was prepared at the request of the Biden administration and former CIA Director William Burns. It was made public under the orders of Trump-appointed CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
The CIA argues that the lab-origin theory cannot be dismissed, suggesting that the virus may have been intentionally engineered. Earlier reports speculated that the virus either leaked from a Chinese lab accidentally or emerged naturally. Intelligence officials, however, assert that the lack of cooperation from Chinese authorities makes it difficult to provide conclusive answers.
The agency’s conclusion is based on a fresh analysis of the virus’s spread, scientific properties, and the status of Chinese virology labs, rather than any new intelligence. COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the US, with millions of deaths and daily casualties once exceeding 2,000. During his presidency, Trump frequently targeted China, often referring to the virus as the “Chinese virus.” With Trump’s re-entry into the political scene, a new phase of US-China tensions appears imminent.
In response, Chinese officials have dismissed the US report as “unscientific and politically motivated.” Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US, called the CIA report “lacking credibility.” He stated, “We strongly oppose the politicization of the virus’s origins and the spreading of conspiracy theories. We urge all parties to respect science and refrain from baseless accusations.”
This report has once again reignited the debate over the origins of COVID-19 and strained relations between the world’s two largest economies.