Dismissing the accusations of ‘modern piracy’ for seizing and diverting shipments of vital protective masks from its allies in Germany and France to the US, President Donald Trump claimed the situation was the exact ‘opposite.’
Asked about the controversy over the White House pressuring safety gear manufacturer 3M to prioritize and step up imports of protective masks from its Chinese factories to the US – often at the expense of other customers, including America’s closest allies – Trump dismissed the accusations of “modern piracy.”
There’s been no act of piracy. It was the opposite.
“We are very disappointed in 3M… they can sell to others, but they should be taking care of our country,” Trump added in the true spirit of ‘America First policy.
“If people do not give us what we need for our people, we are going to be very tough,” Trump said, answering a separate question about the pressure on 3M to prioritize orders from the US.
We need the masks, we don’t want other people getting them
“We are using the Defense Production Act very powerfully. Sometimes directly, in many cases indirectly, just a threat of it is usually enough,” Trump added.
You could call it a retaliation, because that’s what it is
Despite Trump “working hard” with 3M to make sure his order for 180 million N-95 respirators is fulfilled as soon as possible, the United States is suffering a severe medical-grade face cover shortage.
发表回复