CNBC reports that rising tensions between the U.S. and China - made worse by the coronavirus pandemic - is the start of a new Cold War, former top White House trade negotiator Clete Willems said.

"The reality is that tensions between the United States and China are rising considerably at the moment," Willems, a former deputy director of the National Economic Council, told CNBC.

"I know people get uncomfortable with the terminology, but I do think we have to be honest and call this what it is and this is the start of a new Cold War and if we're not careful, things could get much, much worse," he added.

Among the latest disputes between Washington and Beijing is the origin of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 3 million people and killed over 250,000 across 187 countries and territories, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The virus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan before spreading worldwide - and there's been growing outrage globally over how China handled its outbreak.

In the U.S., critics allege Beijing wasn't upfront about the dangers of the virus, was too slow to respond and under-reported the extent of the outbreak within its borders.