Credit: James Ferguson/Financial Times

I joined BBC Radio Scotland’s Isabel Fraser on Saturday to discuss Coronavirus and the decline of US “soft power” because of the Trump Administration’s handling of the crisis.

We begin by looking at manufacture and distribution of a vaccine. Will the Administration’s “America-first, business-first” approach get in the way of a vaccine for all? And will drug companies foresake profit to ensure areas such as Africa have access?

Then we talk about the damage to America’s international standing and how it may be exploited by China: can it contrasts success in containing the virus with a surging US death toll and a President in denial and disinformation?

Listen to Discussion from 1:41.32

The Trump Administration withdrew from the World Health Organization. China increased funding to the World Health Organization. Which do you think gains more influence during a pandemic?