Obama suggests Trump team 'denied warnings' of pandemic

Trump administration has faced stark criticism for failing to heed early global alarms about virus outbreak

The Manhattan skyline rises over the Borough of Brooklyn on March 31, 2020 in New York. AFP

A shopper and cashier wear protective equipment at the checkout station at Pat's Farms grocery store in Merrick, New York. AFP

Paramedics push a gurney with a patient to Brooklyn Hospital Centre Emergency Room in the Brooklyn borough of New York. AFP

A New York Police officer stands guard in an almost empty Times Square during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease. Reuters

A mounted police officer rides though a mostly deserted Times Square during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in the Manhattan. Reuters

A man wears personal protective equipment as he walks on First Avenue, during the coronavirus disease outbreak in New York City. Reuters

A New York City Police officer takes a selfie while in the middle of the street in an almost empty Times Square. Reuters

The US Navy hospital ship carrying 1,000 hospital beds moves past the Statue of Liberty as it arrives in New York. AFP

A medical worker walks out of a coronavirus testing tent at Brooklyn Hospital Centre in New York City. AFP

A worker cleans along the Las Vegas Strip devoid of the usual crowds as casinos and other business are shuttered due to the coronavirus outbreak. AP

Members of the US Army Corps of Engineer Research Development Centre’s Directorate of Public Works construct two temporary hospital room prototypes in Vicksburg. The Vicksburg Post via AP

Carol Talkington helps Terri Bonasso tape a notice on the emergency room door following a vigil at the closing of the Fairmont Regional Medical Centre in Fairmont. Times-West Virginian via AP

A motel sign is lit along a quiet Sunset Boulevard at dusk amid the coronavirus pandemic on March 31, 2020 in Los Angeles. AFP

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a virtual press briefing on March 25, 2020. Bloomberg

Former US president Barack Obama took a veiled swipe on Tuesday at his successor Donald Trump, chastising those who "denied warnings" of a deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Obama also warned against against ignoring the consequences of climate change after the administration finalised an overturn of his vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards aimed at slowing global warming.

"We've seen all too terribly the consequences of those who denied warnings of a pandemic," Mr Obama posted on Twitter.

"We can't afford any more consequences of climate denial. All of us, especially young people, have to demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall."

Mr Trump's administration has faced criticism for failing to heed early global alarms about the virus outbreak, after death tolls began to sharply rise in countries such as China and Italy.

The US has more than 166,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, the most worldwide, and the US death toll has surged past 3,400, exceeding China's official toll.

Mr Obama's tweet included a link to a story about the Trump administration's new rules.

Transport Secretary Elaine Chao said the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transport were overturning "costly, increasingly unachievable fuel economy and vehicle carbon dioxide emissions standards".

The stringency of those standards will now be increased by 1.5 per cent a year until 2026, substantially less than the about 5 per cent annual increases issued in 2012, the EPA said.

So far, Mr Obama has rarely engaged in the 2020 presidential race, which features his former vice president Joe Biden as the Democrat most likely to face Mr Trump in November's election.

Mr Obama has not publicly endorsed any candidate in the Democratic nomination race, which has been reduced to Mr Biden and leftist Bernie Sanders.