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COVID-19
Trump just put strict limits on American medical supply exports. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau warned Trump that doing so was a mistake.
How Trump's latest trade policy may exacerbate shortages facing American doctors and nurses.
My latest 1/ https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/covid-19-trumps-curbs-exports-medical-gear-put-americans-and
Trump just put strict limits on American medical supply exports. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau warned Trump that doing so was a mistake.
How Trump's latest trade policy may exacerbate shortages facing American doctors and nurses.
My latest 1/ https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/covid-19-trumps-curbs-exports-medical-gear-put-americans-and
The United States depends on IMPORTS for medical gear.
Last year, Americans imported more than 5 times the amount of respirators, masks, and gloves from foreign sources as Trump is now refusing to sell abroad.
Trading partners will not sit idly by in response... 2/
Last year, Americans imported more than 5 times the amount of respirators, masks, and gloves from foreign sources as Trump is now refusing to sell abroad.
Trading partners will not sit idly by in response... 2/
Is retaliation likely?
Trump's COVID-19 supply chain team is led by Peter Navarro.
In 2018, as Trump slapped tariffs on steel, aluminum, and China, Navarro famously predicted: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/5743778657001/#sp=show-clips
"I don't believe any country will retaliate."
(everyone retaliated) 3/
Trump's COVID-19 supply chain team is led by Peter Navarro.
In 2018, as Trump slapped tariffs on steel, aluminum, and China, Navarro famously predicted: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/5743778657001/#sp=show-clips
"I don't believe any country will retaliate."
(everyone retaliated) 3/
Today, cutting off Canada & Mexico from US medical supplies would be disastrous – for Americans.
US hospitals are short of virtually everything. They need IMPORTS
• Canada could stop $335 million of hand sanitizer
• Mexico could halt $349 million of protective garments
4/
US hospitals are short of virtually everything. They need IMPORTS
• Canada could stop $335 million of hand sanitizer
• Mexico could halt $349 million of protective garments
4/
Americans also benefit by importing CT scanners & X-ray equipment from the European Union.
China is also sending Americans loads of its PPE.
Antagonizing any partner by withholding American-made medical gear in the face of pandemic would put all those products at risk... 5/
China is also sending Americans loads of its PPE.
Antagonizing any partner by withholding American-made medical gear in the face of pandemic would put all those products at risk... 5/
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Cutting off US exports would devastate many countries across Latin America that have become reliant on American-made PPE.
Many do not have domestic plants to scale up their own local production to fight COVID-19 as it reaches their shores... 6/
Cutting off US exports would devastate many countries across Latin America that have become reliant on American-made PPE.
Many do not have domestic plants to scale up their own local production to fight COVID-19 as it reaches their shores... 6/
NOTE: Trump’s trade war has hurt American preparedness for the pandemic.
After Trump’s 15% tariffs went into effect in September 2019, there was a sharp decline in US imports of respirators, masks and gloves from China that continued through February 2020...
7/
After Trump’s 15% tariffs went into effect in September 2019, there was a sharp decline in US imports of respirators, masks and gloves from China that continued through February 2020...
7/
It took until March 17 for Trump to finally REMOVE his trade war tariffs on masks and respirators from China.
MARCH 17!!!
His tariffs were designed to penalize China. Now, due to US shortages, Trump is restricting exports of the same products...
8/ https://twitter.com/ChadBown/status/1238570924527489026?s=20
MARCH 17!!!
His tariffs were designed to penalize China. Now, due to US shortages, Trump is restricting exports of the same products...
8/ https://twitter.com/ChadBown/status/1238570924527489026?s=20
Project Airbridge? Good!
Sending American PPE to Wuhan in early February? Also Good!
Despite Trump’s resistance, the fact that America is both an exporter and importer of key medical equipment should be interpreted as a blessing, not a curse, during this pandemic...
9/
Sending American PPE to Wuhan in early February? Also Good!
Despite Trump’s resistance, the fact that America is both an exporter and importer of key medical equipment should be interpreted as a blessing, not a curse, during this pandemic...
9/
But Trump's export restrictions are bad policy.
Trump must allow companies to export, because that is what ensures America’s access to imports.
And imports are critical to America’s fight against the ravages of this horrible disease. ENDS/ https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/covid-19-trumps-curbs-exports-medical-gear-put-americans-and
Trump must allow companies to export, because that is what ensures America’s access to imports.
And imports are critical to America’s fight against the ravages of this horrible disease. ENDS/ https://www.piie.com/blogs/trade-and-investment-policy-watch/covid-19-trumps-curbs-exports-medical-gear-put-americans-and
