G7 fails to issue joint statement on virus after Mike Pompeo insists on calling it 'Wuhan virus'

• The other members wanted to refer the virus as COVID-19.
• As a result of the disagreement, several of the nations of the group released their own statements.

Foreign leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have failed to issue a joint statement on coronavirus crisis after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that they address the disease as 'Wuhan virus'.

Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province, is the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. The G7 which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK although agreed on the need for joint efforts to halt the spread of the virus, however, could not agree to Pompeo calling the virus 'Wuhan virus', Der Spiegel reported.

The group wanted to refer to the virus as COVID-19, the term used by World Health Organisation."What the State Department has suggested is a red line. You cannot agree with this branding of this virus and trying to communicate this," CNN quoted a European diplomat.

As a result of the disagreement, several of the nations of the group released their own statements. Referring the virus as 'Wuhan virus', at a news conference, Pompeo said full transparency was needed to fight the new coronavirus.

While the #WuhanVirus was at the top of the #G7 agenda, we still reinforced other important priorities: holding authoritarian regimes accountable for malign behavior; advancing the #AfghanPeaceProcess; and continuing our vigorous fight against terrorism.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 25, 2020