Amidst the COVID-19 chaos in Chinapresident Xi JinpingThe US official mouthpiece slammed US “capital powers” ​​for profiting from the pandemic.

What happened: China’s Global Times newspaper, on a front page editorialblames the US Put profit “first”. as the Asian nation grapples with a shortage of antivirals and widespread reports of pneumonia.

“On several international occasions, the US tends to boast about its international contributions and global leadership, including its leading and generous role in fighting the pandemic. In certain cases, however, US capitalists tend to show their business expansionism and insist on maximizing their interests,” it said.

See also: With Xi Jinping likely to visit the US in November, the former Obama adviser predicts a “calmer environment” in relations with China

“For them, anything can be put on the trading table and profit always comes first.”

This comes after state-run financial magazine Caixin, citing unnamed sources, said Pfizer has refused to lower its price significantly below the 1,890 yuan ($280) it is currently charging hospitals in China.

paxlowid, the antiviral drug developed by Pfizer Inc. PFEwas not included in Beijing’s national health insurance program because negotiations between China’s National Healthcare Security Administration and Pfizer “broke down because of the drug’s high price,” it said.

Now Chief Executive of Pfizer Albert Bourla said Monday the company is not in talks with Chinese authorities to license a generic version of its COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid for use, but is in talks about a price for the branded product, Reuters reported.

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