Editor's note: Ge Anna is a journalist with China Plus. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

When Americans are busy fighting coronavirus at home, their top diplomat is working against a global partnership.

Many in the world look for U.S. coordination and leadership. Fellow Americans expect professional and material aid through the global supply chain. But Mike Pompeo is acting more like a CIA chief than a top diplomat.

He's more interested in pressuring Iran, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Russia over other issues than forming a global alliance against COVID-19. His role is simply disengagement in nature, worse even than inaction.

He lobbies for a coordinated stance against China. His boss has somehow toned down but Pompeo went ahead with stigmatization. Even America's closest allies couldn't find common ground when he insisted on a "Wuhan Virus" label. G7 members had to go their own way in issuing separate statements. He managed to bar the UN from speaking in one voice against this common threat.

But it seems all in vain.

A signed article in the Washington Post states, "Let's recall how the U.S. Secretary of State has historically behaved at a time of grave international crisis: circling the globe (at least telephonically); formulating a coherent multilateral response; and lining up nations behind it – starting with America's closest allies." Pompeo's performance, it says, "will ensure his place among the worst ever."

History records how U.S.-China teamwork suppressed disease outbreaks. U.S. assistance and leadership helped save lives in the epicenters and in turn, saved lives and trouble for the U.S. itself. Now China has walked out of the darkest days in the current pandemic and is extending a hand to the rest of the world, with knowledge, experience and material aid. The U.S. is undergoing what China had exactly experienced weeks ago and is in desperate need of healthcare supplies.

OK, America first. Then merely for the sake of American people and Pompeo himself, China-bashing is the last thing to think of. But unfortunately, for Pompeo, it's dollar foolish and penny unwise.

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