Donald Trump gave an address last week centering on the issue about the medical gear scarcity in the United States and 3M. It was said that the US President "invoked" the Defence Production Act, which will ban the exportation of essential medical gear used in fighting COVID-19 in the country.
According to Mother Jones, the dispute with the global company, 3M, seemingly came into the public's knowledge on Thursday when Trump hinted it on social media. As stated, the President shared that they have "hit 3M hard" after learning what the company was, allegedly, doing with their "masks" or the N95 respiratory masks.
The publication noted that the tweet was a little "unnerving" as the White House did not, reportedly, explain any of the said matter. But, as per CNBC, Donald Trump had first attacked 3M on the morning of the same day.
As reported, the US President approved an order for the Homeland Security Secretary, Chad Wolf, to "use any and all authority" to obtain as many N95 respirator masks from 3M. Later on, the new executive order was revealed to give authority to the Secretary to work with FEMA.
This will, reportedly, mainly focus on preventing the "export" of surgical masks, N95 respirator masks, gloves, PPE, and other essential medical gear. Donald Trump then said that the country needs these items "immediately."
The reports continued to reveal the following events that happened. It was shared that on Friday morning, 3M's CEO, Mike Roman "pushed back" on the statements given by the US President.
He, reportedly, contended that it was "absurd" to suggest that 3M was not doing their best efforts to help the United States in fighting the COVID-19 crisis. "Nothing is further from the truth," the CEO added.
3M then cleared out that the current administration "requested" the company to cease the exportation of respirators, which are, reportedly, domestically manufactured, to Canada and Latin America. However, it was said that there are "significant humanitarian implications" in doing this as 3M is a "critical supplier" in these countries that are also fighting against the pandemic.
It was further asserted that ceasing the exportation of the medical gear "would likely" cause the affected countries "to retaliate and do the same" to the United States. Accordingly, this will only cause more problems not only to the country but, also to the other countries.
In the end, though, Donald Trump's statement about the Defense Production Act, reportedly, explained that the new executive order will not "interfere" with the "PPE manufacturers'," ability to export, like 3M, when they are "consistent" with the country's policy and national interest.
