Trump halted biological research funding to adversaries such as China and Iran because of concerns COVID-19 originated in a Chinese lab. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order to halt federal funding for a type of biomedical research in China and Iran, aiming to prevent development of another pandemic like COVID-19.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday afternoon to halt federal funding for risky virus research that Republicans argue may have been the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. The order aims to stop scientists from conducting “gain-of-function” research with federal funding.

President Donald Trump has halted biological research funding to adversaries such as China and Iran because of concerns COVID-19 originated in a Chinese lab. His executive order dealing with a type of biomedical research comes at a time of heightened tensions with China over tariffs.

Brazil accounted for more than 70 percent of soy exports to China last year and Trump’s trade war could allow it to solidify its market dominance.

Just as Japan's top trade negotiator traveled to Washington for another round of tariff talks last week, a bipartisan delegation bearing the name of “Japan-China Friendship” wrapped up a visit to Beijing.