Beyond exposing a diminished American will to lead, the pandemic response is revealing a new reality — that of US incompetence.

The Trump administration’s lack of interest in a global response to COVID-19, or even extending a helping hand to its allies and partners, is bringing home the possibility that US leadership may be gone for good.

Beyond exposing a diminished American will to lead, the pandemic response is revealing a new reality — that of US incompetence.

COVID-19 is demonstrating vividly that Trump’s political instincts translate badly to national crisis response.

When other members refused to call it the "Wuhan virus", the United States in turn refused to sign a joint statement — handicapping the organisation of wealthy states best positioned to organise a global pandemic response.

Even as South Korea was devastated by an early outbreak of COVID-19, Washington did not relent in its pressure on Seoul’s spending for US forces there. AP.

Even as South Korea was devastated by an early outbreak of COVID-19, Washington did not relent in its pressure on Seoul’s spending for US forces there, and carried out its threat to furlough South Korean workers on US military bases amid the crisis.

The "America First" pandemic response is also revealing troubling signs of anti-Asian discrimination.

Already precarious, Chinese management of the early weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan prompted considerable suspicion and antagonism in the US.