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US-China confrontation and the danger of domestic politics

Covid-19 is raising the risks of conflict as it inflames pre-existing pressures in both rival powers

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Roughly six months into the coronavirus pandemic, it is evident that geopolitical tensions between the United States and China have intensified rather than abated.

Under more benign circumstances, Covid-19 could have served as the common enemy to forge tighter international cooperation, led by the two contending superpowers.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 20, 2020, with the headline US-China confrontation and the danger of domestic politics. Subscribe