An American Vaccine's Influence

Throughout history, the United States has had many rivalries win other countries in terms of becoming the most advanced country in the world. Whether it be the Space Race with Russia or the various tensions between Washington and Beijing, the United States has always fought to be on top. The creation of the COVID-19 vaccine proves to be another issue of similar notions. The United States created a vaccine first could be revolutionary in advancing our geopolitical status amongst other countries in the world. 

Trump and Xi shaking hands.

This has evidently become a race to be the first nation to find a vaccine due to all of the economic benefit one could have from distribution of a more effective vaccine. If the United States wins the so called "COVID Race", we would gain nation influence because countries would have to come to us for a solution to this worldwide pandemic that is effecting nearly every single country. Assuming we do not assist any other country without the return of monetary gain, we have the potential to make an immense profit distributing a vaccine. Along with this, it may even encourage more manufacturing within the United States rather than in other countries as Americans feel more patriotic for having found the vaccine to a problem that has plagued society for months now. At this point in time, many Americans have a negative view on those from China due to the notion that their wet markets are unsanitary and "disease-ridden". This has created somewhat of a political and national divide and creates even more incentive for us to thrive in this COVID race. 

Overall, if the United States was the first nation to create a vaccine, we would ultimately see ourselves having great economic growth and much more influence globally within trade. As John Haltiwanger writes in his Business Insider article, "The first country to the finish line will be first to restore its economy and global influence".