The coronavirus outbreak has caused a lot of panic and fear all over the world. Due to this, countries have to import protective equipment to help them fight the virus. On Friday, US President Donald Trump summoned the Defense Production Act to prohibit profiteers from exporting coronavirus protective gear. The President gave the new order despite conflicting with the United States manufacturer, 3M.
The company said that the Trump administration should not ban the exports of the protective gear because they may end up experiencing the shortage themselves. Following the news released from the Friday evening conference, held at the White House, Donald said that he is not happy at all with the 3M Company. He also said that the people operating directly with the Company were not pleased too.
The need to have the gears
Donald Trump gives orders Chad Wolf, the acting Homeland safety Secretary, to work shoulder to shoulder with FEMA to prevent the export of the protective gear. The apparatus includes surgical masks, N-95 respirators, as well as other personal pieces of equipment. The U.S president says they need the items for domestic use now more than ever.
The President and his administration gave the order to ensure that the scarce PPE materials remain in the United States. They are confident that it is the role of the United States to ban intermediaries, distributors, and brokers from exporting these materials. Donald adds that the PPE manufactures should be consistent with the United States policy alongside with national interests. Trump attacked 3M on Thursday, where he approved an order for Wolf to obtain respirators from the Company or its partners.
3M chief executive defends the Company’s actions
The 3M chief administrator, Mike Roman, pushed back on Friday morning, saying the government didn’t need to accuse the Company of doing less in helping the country. Roman says the accusation is far from the truth as they are doing what’s possible to ensure the home country gets enough respirators during this fight. The 3M Company says it is ready to maximize the delivery for the United States, despite the order to cease exports of respirators, especially to Latin American as well as the Canadian market.
According to the news released by the Financial Times, the White House forced the export of N95 masks to its facilities based in Singapore rather than distributing them to the Asia market. Furthermore, the news outlet says that on Friday, the United States intercepted a shipment of masks heading for Germany. Besides, 3M manufactures say that the halt on the export of respirators will cause other nations to strike back and do the same.
Conclusion
Although the entire world is warring against an invisible enemy, it is not the time to separate. In my opinion, it is not good to cut off the shipments of these pieces of equipment, especially for the developing nations. Unity and sovereignty will help us fight the coronavirus.
More:
