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.
Watch: Tim Walz Tries to Make Somali Fraud Scandal Seem Perfectly Normal, Blames Trump for Talking About It
Elon Musk Sets Newsom Straight on ‘Trans Kids’ After Governor’s Office Attacks Musk’s Family
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Omar accused of opening door to massive Minneapolis fraud
Gabbard blasts Democrat Bennie Thompson for calling National Guard shooting an ‘unfortunate accident’
FDA Set to Give COVID Vaccines Serious ‘Black Box’ Designation: Report
DOJ asks appeals court to halt Boasberg’s contempt hearing next week
‘Incompetence or dereliction’: Minnesota lawmaker rips Tim Walz as state fraud losses mount
DHS sweeps Twin Cities, arrests 400 as feds blast Walz for ‘failing to protect Minnesota’
DOJ Sues Four States for Violating Federal Election Law
Indiana governor vows to primary Republicans who voted against redistricting — but it won’t be easy
Christmas brawl erupts in wealthy Massachusetts enclave during holiday celebration
Tyler Robinson Accused of Sending ‘Mocking’ Message with His Choice of Tie in First Court Appearance
Oklahoma man accused of threatening federal agents online
Another One: Foreign National With New York CDL Kills Man in Tennessee Crash, Could Not Read English
Latest batch of Epstein files show photos with Trump, Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, and Steve Bannon
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.”
Watch: Tim Walz Tries to Make Somali Fraud Scandal Seem Perfectly Normal, Blames Trump for Talking About It
Elon Musk Sets Newsom Straight on ‘Trans Kids’ After Governor’s Office Attacks Musk’s Family
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Omar accused of opening door to massive Minneapolis fraud
Gabbard blasts Democrat Bennie Thompson for calling National Guard shooting an ‘unfortunate accident’
FDA Set to Give COVID Vaccines Serious ‘Black Box’ Designation: Report
DOJ asks appeals court to halt Boasberg’s contempt hearing next week
‘Incompetence or dereliction’: Minnesota lawmaker rips Tim Walz as state fraud losses mount
DHS sweeps Twin Cities, arrests 400 as feds blast Walz for ‘failing to protect Minnesota’
DOJ Sues Four States for Violating Federal Election Law
Indiana governor vows to primary Republicans who voted against redistricting — but it won’t be easy
Christmas brawl erupts in wealthy Massachusetts enclave during holiday celebration
Tyler Robinson Accused of Sending ‘Mocking’ Message with His Choice of Tie in First Court Appearance
Oklahoma man accused of threatening federal agents online
Another One: Foreign National With New York CDL Kills Man in Tennessee Crash, Could Not Read English
Latest batch of Epstein files show photos with Trump, Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, and Steve Bannon
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.
