- Home
- World
- News
- US House Foreign Affairs Chief Asks Trump Admin. to Block Exports of COVID-19 Equipment
US House Foreign Affairs Chief Asks Trump Admin. To Block Exports Of COVID-19 Equipment
Muhammad Irfan Published April 03, 2020 | 08:25 PM
Mounting evidence indicates that novel coronavirus (COVID-19) profiteers selling medical supplies to customers abroad are at least partly responsible for the shortage of supplies needed to fight the pandemic in the United States, US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Eliot Engel wrote in a letter requesting that the Trump administration restrict exports of COVID-19-related medical equipment
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd April, 2020) Mounting evidence indicates that novel coronavirus (COVID-19) profiteers selling medical supplies to customers abroad are at least partly responsible for the shortage of supplies needed to fight the pandemic in the United States, US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Eliot Engel wrote in a letter requesting that the Trump administration restrict exports of COVID-19-related medical equipment.
"There are first-hand news reports of traders and profiteers diverting these supplies to the highest bidder overseas and away from our physicians, nurses and first responders who are risking their lives to treat Americans with life-threatening viral infections," Engel wrote in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence. Pence chairs the Trump administration's coronavirus task force.
The letter urged the Trump administration to issue an immediate order for customs officers to seize outbound shipments of medical equipment until a system of priority allocation to US healthcare infrastructure can be devised.
President Donald Trump signaled a similar concern on Tuesday by hammering leading US manufacturer 3M with the Defense Production Act (DPA) after learning that the company planned to export 10 million N95 respirator masks from the its Singapore facilities to markets in Asia instead of the United States.
3M said it is cooperating with the administration.
The wartime DPA gives the US president extensive authority to seize property, force industries to produce needed equipment and expand production, and allocate materials needed for national defense.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Sub-cabinet committee reviews law, order in Punjab
Notification of confirmed police officers issued
Open courts part of struggle against corruption: ACE DG
Resolving citizens’ complaints top priority of Federal Ombudsman: IO
Government, lender banks conclude PIA’s commercial debt negotiations
Man gets 14 years imprisonment in drugs case
Punjab police accelerate crackdown on drug peddlers
DC reviews meeting, takes action against token tax violations, traffic rules
44 arrested for kite flying in 24 hours
Boao forum for Asia 2024 concludes on successful note
Turkey's Erdogan to hold White House talks with Biden in May
Rana Mashhood appointed chairman PM's Youth Programme
More Stories From World
-
Boao forum for Asia 2024 concludes on successful note
52 minutes ago -
Turkey's Erdogan to hold White House talks with Biden in May
52 minutes ago -
China special team carries out emergency response work with Chinese Embassy in Pakistan: Lin Jian
2 hours ago -
Disinformation targeting Brigitte Macron spreads beyond France
2 hours ago -
Polish president vetoes move to restore access to emergency contraception
2 hours ago -
Turkey's Erdogan braces for tete-a-tete with Biden in May
2 hours ago
-
Ukraine warns power supply under threat amid deadly Russian attacks
3 hours ago -
Leaders Madrid face Athletic in final run towards Liga title
3 hours ago -
Impact of Baltimore port closure on global supply chains
3 hours ago -
Clean energy expo China concluded, showing global green efforts
3 hours ago -
World court orders Israel ensure urgent aid for war-ravaged Gaza
3 hours ago -
Press Release from Business Wire: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC
3 hours ago