Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gestures during an event to announce the clinical study of the use of Nitazoxanide in an early treatment against COVID-19 at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, on October 19, 2020. / AFP / EVARISTO SA
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro stepped up criticism of a Chinese vaccine being developed in partnership with a renowned research institute in Brazil, saying the Asian country lacks credibility to come up with solutions for the coronavirus crisis.
"We won’t buy it from China, it’s my decision,” Bolsonaro said in a radio interview late Wednesday, adding that people wouldn’t feel safe with Sinovac Biotech Ltd’s vaccine "due to its origin.”
The far-right leader said Brazil spent 2 billion reais ($359 million) to develop a vaccine with AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University, which is in a similar trial stage.
Sinovac is developing the shot in partnership with the prestigious Butantan Institute, which is under the watch of one of the president’s main rivals: Sao Paulo Governor Joao Doria. Only hours before the radio interview, Bolsonaro blasted what he called "Joao Doria’s Chinese vaccine” and denied an announcement from his health minister that it would be distributed nationwide if successful in tests.
The spat over the vaccine coincides with broader signs that Bolsonaro is backtracking on his strategy to warm-up relations with China, Brazil’s top trading partner.
Earlier this week, Bolsonaro warmly welcomed a U.S. delegation led by National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, who visited Brazil with a strong anti-China agenda.
O’Brien vowed to assist the country in many ways, including financially, to block Huawei Technologies Co. from participating in the upcoming Brazilian 5G network. A top Brazil official said in an interview that a Huawei ban is being considered for concerns over the network’s security.
After meeting O’Brien, Bolsonaro reiterated his support for the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump and said he’s looking forward to attending his inauguration.
