Thread by @BregmanPs

@Burrite @joshtpm Medical supplies that were supposed to be shipped to Germany and France from Thailand were diverted by Trump using the DPA. The products were sold by 3M Trump ordered 3M them to halt all shipments of medical supplies to Canada, France and Germany.

@Burrite @joshtpm France and Germany described it as piracy. mprnews.org/story/2020/04/… America's image is being further destroyed. This is the story from the Vatican News agency. mprnews.org/story/2020/04/…

@Burrite @joshtpm 3M responded by saying they have been working with the administration but warned that diverting the masks, most of which aren't made in the US, would be a humanitarian problem and could lead to other countries refusing to export to the US.

@Burrite @joshtpm This is the 2nd time in a week Trump has tried to put the focus on Canada. Last week it was troops at the border to keep people from sneaking into the US. Canada objected, pointing out that thousands of Canadian nurses are providing care in US hospitals, especially in Detroit

@Burrite @joshtpm Chrysta Freeland, the Deputy Prime Minister, is responsible for overseeing Canada's day-to-day response. She was the lead negotiator for Canada on the USMCA. She and Trudeau know Trump and will not negotiate on the front pages. 3M stock dropped after this.

@Burrite @joshtpm 3M arranged for 10 million masks to be sent from China to the US. When Canadians criticized Canada for sending supplies to China at the beginning of the outbreak, Freeland said that countries work together. The next day the Bank of China sent a donation of medical equipment.

@Burrite @joshtpm N95 masks to follow. Canada's Ambassador has been working with Chinese factories to make sure the standards meet Canadian regulations. Yesterday it was announced that Canada leased a warehouse in China. globalnews.ca/news/6745817/c…

@Burrite @joshtpm One of the never-ending side stories about Trump's businesses to watch: whether he diverts supplies from Indonesia and India. There are Trump-branded properties being developed in both countries.

@Burrite @joshtpm All of this is theater for Fox news. Won't help. It just highlights how unqualified he is in to hold this job.

BTW don't let the firing of the Intel IG divert attention from the pandemic. Trump is sending a warning to every IG, Republican and employee in the govt to shut up.

@Burrite @joshtpm He doesn't like Atkinson, but the timing is the story. He wants to return the focus to impeachment and Atkinson's role. Trump criticized Obama for not buying arms for the military (a lie). Taxpayers bought them,with the war in front of us, he is hoarding them to get thanks.

@Burrite @joshtpm I know there has never been a Commander in Chief who invited the enemy in to attack America, not even a general would hoard (equipment) while the front line are dying.