Coronavirus

Trump: Brazil having “a very hard time”

President Donald J. Trump, joined by senior White House advisors and Cabinet members, addresses his remarks in the Rose Garden at a press briefing on issues with China and announcing the termination of U.S. relations with the World health Organization. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)
President Donald J. Trump, addresses his remarks in the Rose Garden. Photo: Joyce N. Boghosian/White House

During a White House press conference, President Donald Trump remarked that if the U.S. had taken the same approach to Covid-19 than Brazil, his country could have “lost a million, a million and a half, maybe even 2.5 million or more lives.”

Mr. Trump also criticized Brazil’s appraisal of the Swedish model. “They keep bringing up Sweden,” then adding that the Nordic country’s anti-lockdown approach is “coming back to haunt Sweden, Sweden is having a terrible time.” Yesterday, this live blog showed that even the architect of the Swedish model has admitted that his country has “absolutely” failed in saving lives.

One of President Jair Bolsonaro’s main allies, Mr. Trump has become vocally less sympathetic toward Brazil since the start of the pandemic. Since May 28, the U.S. has imposed a travel ban on non-U.S. citizens who have recently been to Brazil. Earlier this week, however, the country announced that it would provide Brazil with two million doses of hydroxychloroquine ⁠— despite the lack of scientific evidence on the effectiveness of the drug in treating Covid-19.

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