CCP Blaming US for COVID

Hi Global Recap readers,

I thought the COVID days were behind us—almost like a surreal bad dream that I wish were forgotten. But just when memories of it start fading, China releases a white paper that forces us to remember the days of lockdowns, masks, and jabs.

In it, hints that COVID may have actually originated from the US.

Surprise.

While it may seem convincing to some at first glance, keep in mind that there are conflicting reports. Just a few examples:

• In September 2019, the Wuhan Institute of Virology unexpectedly took its online virus database offline and notified Wuhan Airport about a drill for a “novel coronavirus” outbreak. (Click for report)

• China supposedly mapped COVID-19 weeks before telling the world about it. (Click for post)

But before diving into this story, here’s a quick rundown of the recent poll. 👇️ 

📊 POLL
Amazon’s Tariff Display

Thanks for participating in the latest poll!

I always think I’ve got a handle on the range of opinions out there—then I read your comments and get completely blindsided by something unexpected. Every single time. It’s wild.

Results

Here’s the final result of the recent poll on Amazon’s initial plan to show how much Trump’s tariff would add to the final price of goods.

• It is no different than listing other standard feeds (65%)

• It is a politically motivated move (27%)

• I have other ideas (8%)

Findings

• Honestly, it makes sense if you view tariffs as a kind of tax. Otherwise, it’s hard to justify it—especially since key manufacturing costs like raw materials and labor aren’t displayed.

• Many have also asked the question: “Why would the Trump administration push back against this form of transparency?”

• Among those who chose “I have other ideas,” a common suggestion was that it might be a mix of both. Personally, I’d agree—I think it’s entirely possible that it’s a bit of both.

  • In previous emails, I’ve been clear: I see tariffs as taxes. And like any tax, they show up in the final price, paid by consumers. Expecting businesses to just absorb those costs is unrealistic. No company can survive by swallowing every added expense, which is why the idea that “businesses should bear the cost of tariffs” just doesn’t hold water.

  • Whether it stemmed from politically active employees or was just a convenient way to shift blame for rising prices, the original intent doesn’t change the perception. At the end of the day, the optics aren’t great, and if the polls are any indication, many already see it as a politically driven move.

🇨🇳 CHINA
China Blames US for COVID

Out of the blue, China’s State Council Information Office dropped a new report on COVID’s origins.

There are two main arguments China makes here:

• First, it claims the US fumbled its early COVID response, failing to contain the outbreak properly, and later used China as a scapegoat to cover its own failures.

• Second—and here’s the kicker—it floats the idea that the virus may have actually originated in the United States, not China.

Here’s the full report: Click here

China’s Claim

Beijing’s new report accuses the US government of dodging its responsibility and politicizing the origins of SARS‑CoV‑2.

• The report argues that early signs of the virus were evident in the US before China’s official outbreak.

• It contends that, rather than addressing its early missteps, America shifted blame to distract from its own delays.

• Beijing insists that “a thorough and in‑depth investigation” should be conducted on US soil.

Rebuttal to Lab-Leak Theories

In response to persistent claims from the Trump campaign that the virus escaped from a Wuhan lab, China’s document directly challenges this lab‑leak theory.

• The white paper says: “… Covid-19 may have emerged in the US earlier than the US official timeline, and earlier than the outbreak in China. A thorough and in-depth investigation into the origins of the virus should be conducted in the US.”

Data and Early Findings

China bolsters its argument with selective references to early antibody studies in the US, suggesting that Covid‑19 might have been circulating before the first official case was recorded.

• Cited data from a US CDC study reportedly found SARS‑CoV‑2 antibodies in samples collected prior to the outbreak.

• Beijing uses these findings to claim there’s “substantial evidence” pointing to an earlier emergence in America.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump’s $50M+ Ukraine Deal

Trump supporters hoping he'd cut off funding to Ukraine might be in for a letdown with this latest update:

The Trump administration has informed Congress of a proposal to sell Ukraine “defense articles” valued at $50 million or more.

This comes after the United States and Ukraine signed a minerals deal that President Zelenskyy described as “truly equal and fair.”

The Notification

The Trump administration formally notified Congress on April 29 via a memo marked Communication EC-859 from the State Department’s Legislative Affairs office.

• The proposal covers “defense articles, including technical data, and defense services” worth at least $50 million.

• This is the first such move under Trump’s current administration.

Export Process

Falling under the Arms Export Control Act, the proposal now awaits review by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

• The memo from a senior State Department official sets the groundwork for a new export license.

• No specifics have been offered on the exact types of weapons or services involved.

Minerals Agreement

Right on the heels of this arms sale notification, a minerals deal signed on April 30 has also changed the US-Ukraine relationship.

• The agreement establishes a joint investment fund for future extraction and processing projects, deliberately steering clear of past debts and existing facilities.

• It hints at a deepening economic partnership that could tip scales in broader strategic discussions.

Context

But as you probably already know, President Trump was never exactly eager to give Ukraine anything—especially not “defense articles.”

Here’s a recent back-and-forth between Trump and Zelenskyy:

Zelenskyy’s Ambition

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently declared Ukraine’s readiness to purchase 10 US-made Patriot air defense systems for $15 billion.

• “We will find the money and pay for everything,” Zelenskyy told CBS News on April 13.

Trump’s Retort

Not one to mince words, Trump shot back on April 14, accusing Ukraine of “always looking to purchase missiles” and even suggesting that Kyiv had a hand in starting the conflict with Russia.

• He declared, “We are in for $350 billion, or close to it… Biden handed them $350 billion between cash and military equipment. We got nothing.”

• Emphasizing Ukraine’s rare resource assets—“great rare earth, meaning certain minerals, materials”—Trump argued that this deal could leverage much more than a mere arms sale.

Thoughts

The main point seems to be that the US supposedly handed over billions to Ukraine and got nothing in return.

Now that both sides have inked a minerals deal, does this mean Trump is more at ease sending assets, knowing the US is getting something in return?

And will this be the justification his avid supporters—who were vehemently against any sales or aid to Ukraine—will use going forward?

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Military Action Against Iran?

In a post on X, US Defense Secretary Hegseth warned Iran that its backing of the Houthis will have serious consequences, hinting at possible military action against the country.

Hegseth’s Post

• Coming from the Defense Secretary, the statement definitely hints that military action—not just sanctions—could be on the table.

• That said, it might just be a strategic warning, especially with US military assets already positioned in the Middle East.

• But if history teaches us anything, it’s that even saber-rattling and strategic posturing can spiral into something much bigger.

Military Posture

Beyond social posts and diplomatic dialogue, the Pentagon is repositioning.

• More than 1,000 strikes against Houthi targets have already been executed since the renewed campaign began in March.

• Six B‑2 bombers have been deployed to Diego Garcia, with two aircraft carriers patrolling the Middle East and air defense systems shuffled from Asia, underscoring an unmistakable escalation.

Context

Talks Delayed

A fourth round of nuclear talks, slated for Saturday in Rome, has been delayed by a joint decision from Iran, the US, and Oman. Even as both sides wanted to keep things moving, the US later clarified that the meeting’s timing was never actually confirmed.

• The postponement was officially attributed to “logistical and technical reasons.”

• A US spokesperson noted that Saturday’s meeting lacked firm scheduling.

Trump’s Threats

On top of this, US President Donald Trump fired off his usual “fiery” message on Truth Social.

🇹🇷 TURKEY
May Day Arrests Istanbul

May Day protests in Istanbul turned into a standoff between demonstrators and police, leading to hundreds of arrests.

Authorities shut down public transport and sealed off Taksim Square—the heart of past political demonstrations.

Protest Crackdown

Authorities cracked down hard on demonstrators attempting to reach the iconic square.

• 50,000 police officers were deployed across the city.

• Riot police blocked protesters in Besiktas and Sisli, leading to violent scuffles.

• At least 409 people were detained, including 407 in Istanbul alone.

• Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said protests occurred across 78 provinces, involving nearly 286,600 people.

Protesters

Despite a heavy police presence, activists weren’t backing down.

• A student named Murat described the streets as being “blocked... as if it's a state of emergency.”

• Protesters chanted as riot police moved in.

• Amnesty International slammed the crackdown, urging Turkey to respect the right to protest.

Political Backdrop

The unrest follows mass protests over the detention of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a key opponent of President Erdogan.

He was disqualified from running for the presidency the day before his arrest, after his university degree was revoked.

• Imamoglu, a fierce rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was jailed on corruption charges he denies.

• His imprisonment sparked outrage, with pro-democracy demonstrators flooding the streets in March.

• Many see these protests as a continuation of the fight for free expression in Turkey.

Response

• Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel condemned the crackdown, calling it a sign of the ruling party’s “insecurity.”

• He accused authorities of turning Turkey into a “police state” rather than engaging in democratic dialogue.

• Erdogan marked May Day by meeting union representatives and touting his administration’s labor reforms.

The History of May Day in Turkey

The violence at Taksim Square revives painful memories of past May Day protests.

• The site has been off-limits for protests for years, with police intervening annually.

• In 1977, a May Day demonstration led to 34 deaths, cementing the square’s symbolic importance.

• Last year, authorities arrested over 200 people attempting to march there.