Miami, July 11 (RHC)-- U.S. President Donald Trump was forced to cancel an election rally, further darkening his mood as he lashed out at China over the coronavirus pandemic while visiting one of the worst-hit U.S. states.

As he jetted into Florida for a campaign fundraiser -- ignoring health advice about the dangers of large gatherings -- Trump warned of frayed ties with the Asian nation where the virus emerged late last year.

"(The) relationship with China has been severely damaged.  They could have stopped the plague... They didn't stop it," he told reporters on Air Force One.

China has always strongly denied being responsible for the coronavirus and there is no substantial evidence that China had anything to do with the development of the pandemic.