Don’t be confused – Trump’s ‘America first’ instincts are driving his coronavirus response

Despite widespread shock, EU travel ban aligns with president’s policy, writes John T Bennett

Donald Trump addresses the country from the Oval Office about the coronavirus outbreak (AP)

Donald Trump was out of his element on Wednesday evening behind the storied Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, reading a coronavirus speech that bred confusion, new transatlantic ill will and left many unanswered questions.

The US president spoke to the nation – the world, really – in a formal address from the historic office for only the second time. The first, to discuss a government shutdown last year and his proposed southern border wall, did not go as well as he liked, with aides acknowledging afterwards it was not his preferred speech venue.

But he flubbed key parts of the counter-virus strategy his critics say he and his public health team have been slow to craft and implement. Global and US markets responded on Thursday by again taking a nosedive; the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which is closely watched by Mr Trump, fell by 1,700 points and, for the second time this week, all trading was temporarily halted.