President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of China over the global coronavirus pandemic and said it has been worse for the United States than Pearl Harbor and 9/11.

"This is really the worst attack we've ever had," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"This is worse than Pearl Harbor. This is worse than the World Trade Center."

Trump lashed out at China, continuing a war of words over the origins of the deadly virus that emerged in Wuhan last year.

"It should have never happened," he said. "Could have been stopped at the source. Could have been stopped in China."

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