U.S.-based company 3M said Friday that it has been asked by the Trump administration not to supply N95 respirators to Canada amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the Minnesota-based company to produce and sell as many medical-grade masks as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says it needs. He invoked the Defence Production Act in order to speed up the distribution of masks.
“The administration also requested that 3M cease exporting respirators that we currently manufacture in the United States to the Canadian and Latin American markets,” a statement from the company read.
The company said the move raised “humanitarian” concerns.
“There are, however, significant humanitarian implications of ceasing respirator supplies to health-care workers in Canada and Latin America, where we are a critical supplier of respirators,” the statement added.
Trump’s massive Arlington triumphal arch approved for construction by federal planning commission
Indiana, Florida and Alabama carry out rare US triple execution day
Watch: DeSantis Nails Midterm Blowout with Blunt Talk on Thune’s GOP Senate – ‘They Didn’t Even Attempt’ Bold Conservatism
Military Identifies Remains of WWII Soldier Who Served in Legendary Merrill’s Marauders
Big Blue Wave Gives Democrats the Power to Effectively End the Electoral College Before 2028
Vance ‘privately’ blasts Netanyahu as Iran war divides Trump administration and 2028 ambitions loom
Child molester’s looming prison release reignites sanctuary showdown in wake of Dem election sweep
DOJ Launches Criminal Investigation Into Leak of Supreme Court Decision That Overturned Roe v. Wade
California’s Sky-High Minimum Wage Claims Another Victim as Major Outback Steakhouse Franchisee Is Forced to File for Bankruptcy
Trump signs proclamation to prevent changes to Oval Office, other White House rooms
Texas State Rep Calls for Emergency Session Put Guardrails on Executive Branch Before Dems Seize Power
Midterms and 2028: Join America’s conversation here!
Left-wing troublemakers are only ‘noise’ due to large majorities: Former Virginia governor
Pirro’s office leading criminal investigation into Supreme Court Dobbs leak
DeSantis nukes ‘tech guy’ Vivek after Ohio drubbing: ‘Not in tune’ with blue-collar voters
The statement also warned that limiting supply to other countries could lead to them “retaliating” with similar measures.
“If that were to occur, the net number of respirators being made available to the United States would actually decrease. That is the opposite of what we and the administration, on behalf of the American people, both seek,” the company said.
On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news, saying the government is in close contact with U.S. officials on the issue.
“We are discussing very closely with the United States the importance of keeping the flow of essential goods and services across our border to help both countries,” Trudeau said. “I am confident that the close and deep relationship between Canada and the U.S. will hold strong and we will not have to see interruptions in supply chain in either directions.”
Trump’s massive Arlington triumphal arch approved for construction by federal planning commission
Indiana, Florida and Alabama carry out rare US triple execution day
Watch: DeSantis Nails Midterm Blowout with Blunt Talk on Thune’s GOP Senate – ‘They Didn’t Even Attempt’ Bold Conservatism
Military Identifies Remains of WWII Soldier Who Served in Legendary Merrill’s Marauders
Big Blue Wave Gives Democrats the Power to Effectively End the Electoral College Before 2028
Vance ‘privately’ blasts Netanyahu as Iran war divides Trump administration and 2028 ambitions loom
Child molester’s looming prison release reignites sanctuary showdown in wake of Dem election sweep
DOJ Launches Criminal Investigation Into Leak of Supreme Court Decision That Overturned Roe v. Wade
California’s Sky-High Minimum Wage Claims Another Victim as Major Outback Steakhouse Franchisee Is Forced to File for Bankruptcy
Trump signs proclamation to prevent changes to Oval Office, other White House rooms
Texas State Rep Calls for Emergency Session Put Guardrails on Executive Branch Before Dems Seize Power
Midterms and 2028: Join America’s conversation here!
Left-wing troublemakers are only ‘noise’ due to large majorities: Former Virginia governor
Pirro’s office leading criminal investigation into Supreme Court Dobbs leak
DeSantis nukes ‘tech guy’ Vivek after Ohio drubbing: ‘Not in tune’ with blue-collar voters
Trudeau said he hopes to avoid a scenario where Canada is forced to retaliate against U.S. measures.
“It would be a mistake to create blockages or reduce the amount of back and forth trade of essential goods and services, including medical goods across our border,” he added.
Demand for personal protective equipment — gloves, gowns, face shields and the all-important N95 masks — has been soaring around the world as overtaxed doctors, nurses and hospitals struggle to manage the spike in coronavirus cases while protecting themselves from infection.
On Thursday, 3M was singled out for criticism by Trump.
“We hit 3M hard today after seeing what they were doing with their Masks,” Trump tweeted. “‘P Act’ all the way. Big surprise to many in government as to what they were doing – will have a big price to pay!”
We hit 3M hard today after seeing what they were doing with their Masks. “P Act” all the way. Big surprise to many in government as to what they were doing – will have a big price to pay!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 3, 2020
3M CEO Mike Roman said earlier this week that the company is working closely with FEMA and is on track to double global production of N95 masks to two billion a year in 12 months.
