In a dramatic escalation of PPE tensions, German officials in Berlin have accused the United States of \"modern piracy\" following the seizure of a shipment of 200,000 protective masks. The masks, intended for the city’s police force, were reportedly taken by US authorities at Bangkok airport, sparking outrage in Germany.
Berlin Mayor Michael Mueller described the incident as \"inhumane and unacceptable,\" while the state interior minister Andreas Geisel condemned the use of what he termed \"Wild West methods\" during the global health crisis. The seized masks were FFP2 respirators, commonly known as N95 masks, manufactured by the American company 3M in China.
The controversy stems from US President Donald Trump’s invocation of the Defense Production Act, compelling 3M to prioritize domestic orders of N95 masks amid the surging coronavirus cases in the United States. Berlin officials believe the missing shipment is a direct result of this policy shift, although 3M has denied any record of Berlin's order, and a US official has dismissed the allegations as false.
The global demand for protective equipment like N95 masks has created a fiercely competitive market, with countries like France and Canada also voicing concerns over American acquisition practices, including paying premium prices to secure supplies. As the coronavirus outbreak continues to wreak havoc worldwide, governments are grappling with ethical and logistical challenges in distributing life-saving gear.
3M finds itself at the center of this global crisis, balancing production for the US and international clients. The company has expressed concern over recent US directives that restrict exports to Canada and Latin America, warning that such measures could trigger humanitarian crises. Meanwhile, Germany and France have placed limits on PPE exports, further straining international relations during the ongoing pandemic.
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German authorities accuse U.S. of 'piracy' by seizing face masks
cgtn.com
