Medical supplies sit on shelves at an indoor parking lot adjacent to Mary Washington Hospital, Virginia on Apr…Read More
WASHINGTON: Germany and Canada are among countries that are accusing the United States of virtually hijacking much-coveted medical material that are in short supply in the global war on the coronavirus, aggravating Washington’s already testy ties with some of its major allies.
In what appeared to be an unprecedented international heist, the Trump White House reportedly authorized a “diversion” to US from Bangkok airport of a flight carrying 200,000 N95 face masks bound for Germany, causing Berlin to go apoplectic and accuse Washington of “modern piracy.”
The masks were manufactured in China by the US company 3M which been contracted by Berlin for the consignment meant for its police. 3M has been under fire from Trump, purportedly for its extra-territorial loyalties in time of crisis, although like with many US companies, manufacturing in China for the international market is part of its global supply chain norm.
But the Trump administration, which famously proclaimed a “America First” policy, is now pulling out all stops to secure med