Trump's tweeting affects the image of Sweden more than the numbers

Sweden's various choices during the pandemic have been the subject of much attention during the spring and summer.

The outside world also noted in horror how the Swedish death toll rose sharply early.

But the fact that the USA has now overtaken Sweden in the number of covid dead per capita will not change the image of Sweden significantly, says Sofia Bard, head of analysis at the Swedish Institute.

- Most recently the day before yesterday, CNN had a fairly long report on developments in Sweden right now.

There they talked about this type of figure, so if the image of Sweden is affected anywhere, it is in the USA.

I do not think it will be affected in other countries because of this, says Sofia Bard.

She rather believes that it is the image of the United States that will begin to be discussed.

"What you can see now that Donald Trump has gone out and said that he does not support the WHO, that he may not participate in the global project to develop and distribute vaccines, is that this type of action can affect the image of the United States," he said. Sofia Bard.

Narrative about Sweden

At the same time, the international press continues to take an interest in developments in Sweden.

- Sweden has been a topic of conversation since mid-March, when the narrative was set that Sweden stands out, that we have chosen another, alternative way of dealing with the pandemic.

International media are still interested in how things are going for Sweden.

But above all, countries compare Sweden with their own country.

- The question is whether other countries will compare the USA and Sweden, says Sofia Bard.

The CNN report reported that it is now moving in a positive direction in Sweden, they compared with the development in the US and pointed out the differences that exist, that Sweden had open schools, fewer mandatory restrictions and also the issue of mouth protection.

Trump's Twitter influence

Donald Trump has also previously mentioned the comparison between the USA and Sweden.

In April, he was asked at a press conference what he thinks of Sweden's actions in the corona crisis.

"I think we could have followed that line.

And if we had done that, I think we might have had two million dead, "he said.

- When Donald Trump talks about Sweden, it has quite a big impact.

It is when he tweeted about Sweden that there has been most talk about Sweden and the corona pandemic on social media, says Sofia Bard.