China, Australia's largest trading partner, recently began imposing economic pressures on the country after Australia called for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday the U.S. would continue to support Australia in its pursuit of an independent inquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"We stand with Australia and the more than 120 nations who have taken up the American call for an inquiry into the origins of the virus so we can understand what went wrong and save lives," Pompeo said during a Wednesday news briefing. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to the press at the State Department in Washington, DC, on May 20, 2020.Despite the mounting pressures, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said during a press briefing on May 15 that the country planned to continue pursuing its inquiry. Though Morrison described Australia's trading relationship with China as one grounded in"mutual benefit," he said conflicts did occasionally arise that need to be worked out.
In addition to emphasizing America's alignment with Australia, Pompeo called for more transparency from the Chinese government and criticized the country's response to the pandemic thus far.
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