BBC: Coronavirus: US accused of 'piracy' over mask 'confiscation'

[Celerity]

The US has been accused of redirecting 200,000 Germany-bound masks for its own use, in a move condemned as "modern piracy".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52161995

The local government in Berlin said the shipment of US-made masks was "confiscated" in Bangkok. The FFP2 masks, which were ordered by Berlin's police force, did not reach their destination, it said. Andreas Geisel, Berlin's interior minister, said the masks were presumably diverted to the US.

The US company that makes the masks, 3M, has been prohibited from exporting its medical products to other countries under a Korean-War-era law invoked by President Donald Trump. On Friday, Mr Trump said he was using the Defence Production Act to demand that US firms provide more medical supplies to meet domestic demand.

"We need these items immediately for domestic use. We have to have them," Mr Trump said at the daily Coronavirus Task Force briefing at the White House. Mr Geisel said the diversion of masks from Berlin amounted to an "act of modern piracy", urging the Trump administration to adhere to international trading rules.

"This is not how you deal with transatlantic partners," the minister said. "Even in times of global crisis, there should be no wild-west methods." Mr Geisel's comments echo the sentiments of other European officials, who have complained about the buying and diversion practices of the US.

snip

[dewsgirl]

1. Yes. A highly likely story, what an embarrassment.

[babylonsister]

2. Making us proud yet again.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Is this the shipment that Pence's task force halted that was going to Bangkok, but

was really going to Germany? ???

[Celerity]

4. not sure TBH

Pence task force freezes coronavirus aid amid backlash

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/31/pence-task-force-coronavirus-aid-157806


this is great though:

Link to tweet

[Baitball Blogger]

5. If it is, someone needs to explain to us why a shipment meant for Germany was going to Bangkok,

unless Bangkok was being used as a shell, or was reselling masks that were meant for its own country?

[Celerity]

6. that was what I was wondering too, unless the masks were sent from the US West coast and part of a

a multi-destination ship's cargo

we would need to see the supply-chain's docs

[Baitball Blogger]

7. +1

[SheltieLover]

8. Probably so

I could see dump confisgating & reselling at outrageous prices. What a ridiculous situation & the worst international embarrassment ever!