3M fires back at Trump over order to produce more face masks

[catbyte]

By Associated Press Today Updated 1:07 pm

Manufacturing giant 3M pushed back today against criticism from President Donald Trump over the production of face masks that are badly needed by American health care workers.

The company said it has been producing as many masks as possible for the U.S. “over the last several weeks and months.”

3M said the administration asked it to stop exporting medical-grade masks to Canada and Latin America, a move that the company said raises “significant humanitarian implications” and will backfire by causing other countries to retaliate by withholding supplies from the U.S.

Late today, Trump announced that he directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prevent the export of N95 masks like those made by 3M, along with surgical gloves and other anti-viral protective gear. He said exceptions might be made to help Italy and Spain, which have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.

“We are not happy with 3M,” Trump added during a White House briefing.

The unusual but not unprecedented spat between the president and a leading American manufacturer broke out after Trump directed heads of the Homeland Security Department and FEMA to use their authority under the 1950 Defense Production Act to acquire the “appropriate” number of N95 respirators from 3M and any of its affiliates.

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https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/04/03/breaking-news/3m-fires-back-at-trump-over-order-to-produce-more-face-masks/
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That asshole makes things worse every time he opens that icky, sphincter-like mouth.

[DonaldsRump]

1. This is incompetency by a US "President" happening in real time n/t

[SheltieLover]

2. HE wants to control the sale, like the ventilators! Pls read at link!

[link:https://www.propublica.org/article/taxpayers-paid-millions-to-design-a-low-cost-ventilator-for-a-pandemic-instead-the-company-is-selling-versions-of-it-overseas-|

K&R

[RockRaven]

3. Comparing Trump's mouth to a sphincter is an insult to competent sphincters everywhere...

at least they stay shut when they are supposed to. Unlike this bastard's loud face-noise hole.

[mr_lebowski]

4. It is an interesting conundrum 3M finds themselves in ... (nt)

[LonePirate]

5. A competent president would have engaged 3M to work around the clock starting back in December.

There is zero excuse for a mask shortage right now.