Trump official claims coronavirus could bring some positive effects for US economy
Trump official claims coronavirus could bring some positive effects for US economy
During a TV interview US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross stated, "I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America".
The rapid spread of the diseases has inflated fearfulness about its effect on the chinese economy and global growth.
The remarks have come under heavy criticism from critics of President Trump’s administration.
In reply to a question on Fox Business News on Whether the epidemic is a risk to the US economy Wilbur Ross said, "I don't want to talk about a victory lap over a very unfortunate, very malignant disease."
"The fact is, it does give business yet another thing to consider when they go through their review of their supply chain... So I think it will help to accelerate the return of jobs to North America," he added.
Later the US Commerce Department reiterated his statement, "As Secretary Ross made clear the first step is to bring the virus under control and help the victims of this disease."
"It is also important to consider the ramifications of doing business with a country that has a long history of covering up real risks to its own people and the rest of the world," a spokesperson said.
The remarks by the US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross have been profoundly criticised, with Democrat congressman Don Beyer talking to twitter to question finding business benefit in the time of the life-threatening outbreak.
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The virus has now been declared as global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), as it continues to proliferate outside China. No less than 213 people have died from the virus, and now it has spread to 18 other nations.
Economists have said the new coronavirus could have a substantial impact on the world economy than the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic. SARS infected more than 8,000 people in 2002 and 2003, leading to more than 700 deaths and is estimated to have cost the global economy more than $30bn.
The coronavirus has forced global companies including tech giants, car makers and retailers to temporarily close down in China as authorities imposed major travel restrictions across the country.