New Delhi, May 23 -- It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a death blow to all major economies around the world. There is a dire need for a vaccine not only against this insidious virus but also to insulate the economies from further shocks. As the US and China have already been at daggers drawn over a plethora of issues, the COVID-19 has become a fresh irritant between the two countries.

The US-China trade deal, which is seen as a last-ditch attempt to bring calm and stability for the global economy by many observers, has been facing an uncertain future given the fresh wave of blame game over the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, US President Donald Trump had paid no heed to the impending health crisis. The flaccid response in h...