US Politicians 'telling Barefaced Lies': Beijing

Beijing has accused US politicians of "telling barefaced lies" over the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the globe, after President Donald Trump threatened to seek damages from China for the outbreak.

"They have only one objective: shirk their responsibility for their own poor epidemic prevention and control measures, and divert public attention," said foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang at a press briefing on Tuesday.

at a media briefing overnight, Trump was asked about a recent German newspaper editorial which called on China to pay Germany US$165 billion in reparations because of economic damage due to the virus.

Asked if the US would consider doing the same, Trump said "we can do something much easier than that".

"Germany is looking at things, we are looking at things," he said. "We haven't determined the final amount yet," Trump said.

Geng said US politicians should "reflect on their own problems and find ways to contain the outbreak as quickly as possible".

There have been nearly a million infections with more than 56,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the United States and the pandemic has shut down huge swathes of the economy.

The outbreak on the mainland seems to be under control with no new deaths reported for 13 straight days and the toll standing at 4,633 – although several countries have cast doubt over whether the numbers are accurate. (AFP)