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.
40+ House Republicans rally behind Markwayne Mullin for DHS, call it a ‘critical moment’ for border security
Biden-appointed judge in the hot seat after DHS fires back at ‘false’ claims about ICE facility
Trump Rejects Biden’s Executive Privilege Claim, Says It’s ‘Not in the Best Interests of the United States’
Police Bodycam Caught Chilling Statement from NYC Terror Suspect After He Was Taken Into Custody
Judge rejects Fani Willis bid to intervene in Trump $17 million reimbursement fight
Savannah Guthrie spotted in NYC as search for missing mother enters sixth week with few answers
Trump, Thune clash on voter ID ultimatum as GOP remains divided on path forward
‘90 Day Fiancé’ alum’s boyfriend on trial for attempted murder over wild ‘Boca Bash’ accusations
Virginia Dems send Spanberger bill that could let some repeat offenders out without secured bond, expert warns
Kai Trump gets heat for bringing Secret Service during Erewhon trip in video
Failson or fanatic? A closer look at Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader
Feds Warn Law Enforcement of Potential Iranian Sleeper Cells Following Discovery of Encrypted Communications
Trump’s Freedom 250 unveils IndyCar racetrack in DC: ‘Imagine these views’
Whistleblower says CBP chief targeted senior staff over ‘political vendettas’
New Details: Alleged IED Throwers in NYC Had Naturalized Parents – IEDs Contained the ‘Mother of Satan’ Explosive, Rep. Roy Calls for Pause on All Legal Immigration
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.”
40+ House Republicans rally behind Markwayne Mullin for DHS, call it a ‘critical moment’ for border security
Biden-appointed judge in the hot seat after DHS fires back at ‘false’ claims about ICE facility
Trump Rejects Biden’s Executive Privilege Claim, Says It’s ‘Not in the Best Interests of the United States’
Police Bodycam Caught Chilling Statement from NYC Terror Suspect After He Was Taken Into Custody
Judge rejects Fani Willis bid to intervene in Trump $17 million reimbursement fight
Savannah Guthrie spotted in NYC as search for missing mother enters sixth week with few answers
Trump, Thune clash on voter ID ultimatum as GOP remains divided on path forward
‘90 Day Fiancé’ alum’s boyfriend on trial for attempted murder over wild ‘Boca Bash’ accusations
Virginia Dems send Spanberger bill that could let some repeat offenders out without secured bond, expert warns
Kai Trump gets heat for bringing Secret Service during Erewhon trip in video
Failson or fanatic? A closer look at Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader
Feds Warn Law Enforcement of Potential Iranian Sleeper Cells Following Discovery of Encrypted Communications
Trump’s Freedom 250 unveils IndyCar racetrack in DC: ‘Imagine these views’
Whistleblower says CBP chief targeted senior staff over ‘political vendettas’
New Details: Alleged IED Throwers in NYC Had Naturalized Parents – IEDs Contained the ‘Mother of Satan’ Explosive, Rep. Roy Calls for Pause on All Legal Immigration
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.
