Trump slams 3M over mask production, invokes Defense Production Act
The company's N95 masks are considered the gold standard by medical workers
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President Trump slammed 3M Co in a tweet on Thursday in regards to the company's production of protective masks.
Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to get the company to produce face masks.
At Thursday coronavirus briefing, Trump said "Hopefully they'll be able to do what they are supposed to do," he said.
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3M said in a statement that the company has been working with the administration to ramp up production.
"We appreciate the authorities in the DPA that provide a framework for us to expand even further the work we are doing in response to the global pandemic crisis," the company said in a statement. "We look forward to working with FEMA to implement yesterday’s order."
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said at the briefing: "We've had some issues making sure that all of the production that 3M does around the world, enough of it is coming back here to the right places."
MASKS TO STOP CORONAVIRUS SPREAD COULD BE RECOMMENDED TO ALL AMERICANS BY WHITE HOUSE, CDC
3M has doubled mask production since January. The company's N95 masks are considered the gold standard by medical workers and public-health officials, according to The Wall Street Journal.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMM | 3M CO. | 133.53 | +1.05 | +0.79% |
N95 face masks made by 3M and other companies are in short supply among healthcare workers treating coronavirus patients.
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The Defense Production Act grants the president the power to expand industrial production of key materials or products for national security.
This story has been updated to include a statement from 3M