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Among the many reckonings prompted by COVID-19 was the painful realization that countries are highly dependent on imported medical supplies. Half a decade later, that dependence remains. Now, as hantavirus spreads, and the Strait of Hormuz remains largely unpassable, there is more reason than ever for alarm. As a result, many Western countries are hastily trying to shore up health security.

We all remember China’s personal protective equipment (PPE) diplomacy during the first horrid weeks of COVID-19. Countries deemed friendly were allowed to purchase face masks, gloves, and other indispensable supplies, while countries deemed unfriendly were not. Serbia was in; Sweden was out. Beijing played favorites among European Union countries, sending modest deliveries to some member states but none to others even though the EU had donated PPE to China when COVID-19 first hit. Elsewhere, governments blocked PPE exports not out of spite but because their countries needed the supplies themselves.

Among the many reckonings prompted by COVID-19 was the painful realization that countries are highly dependent on imported medical supplies. Half a decade later, that dependence remains. Now, as hantavirus spreads, and the Strait of Hormuz remains largely unpassable, there is more reason than ever for alarm. As a result, many Western countries are hastily trying to shore up health security.

We all remember China’s personal protective equipment (PPE) diplomacy during the first horrid weeks of COVID-19. Countries deemed friendly were allowed to purchase face masks, gloves, and other indispensable supplies, while countries deemed unfriendly were not. Serbia was in; Sweden was out. Beijing played favorites among........

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