"Trump, Who Claimed Medical Equipment Was Sufficient, Asks Allies Including Korea for Help"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Although U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that a large amount of medical equipment has been produced in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), U.S. media reported on the 24th (local time) that he is reaching out to allies for help, including requesting medical equipment support from South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

CNN reported the phone call between President Moon and President Trump on the same day, stating, "President Trump says that the country is fighting the crisis well enough domestically, but in contrast, he is asking allies for help." It pointed out that President Trump has continuously mentioned in official settings that there is enough medical equipment, but this differs from reality.

At a press conference held at the White House on the 21st, President Trump emphasized, "We started with very few masks," and added, "Now we are producing hundreds of thousands of masks and other devices." He also said, "Many companies are producing a lot of items, including ventilators." On the following day, the 22nd, President Trump again stated that millions of masks have already been produced and that they have ventilators, expressing the position that there is sufficient medical equipment.

However, the shortage of medical equipment continues within the United States. U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that medical equipment within the military is expected to be insufficient. Pete Gaynor, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), also said that the federal government will invoke emergency authority to produce test kits. New York Mayor Andrew Cuomo criticized the federal government’s lack of support, saying that so far, 400 ventilators have been received from the federal government, but "what can you do with 400 when 30,000 are needed?" He said, "30,000 ventilators will be needed within the next 14 days," and added, "Ventilators will determine life or death for some patients."

As the shortage of medical equipment continues across the United States, the Trump administration is reportedly asking Europe and Eurasia for help. Foreign Policy reported that David Hale, the third-ranking official at the U.S. State Department, sent an email to embassies in Europe and other regions on the 22nd, asking whether those countries could sell key medical equipment to the United States. The email reportedly stated, "Due to critical needs, the U.S. intends to purchase ventilators and other equipment." The email also included a note excluding Russia, indicating that help from Russia would not be accepted.

In diplomatic circles, Foreign Policy reported that the State Department’s directive to ask for help from countries that the U.S. has supported for years shows a sharp reversal of traditional U.S. diplomatic policy attitudes. It also analyzed that President Trump, who initially downplayed the COVID-19 situation by comparing it to the flu, is now trying to avoid criticism for responding complacently as the pandemic expanded in the U.S.

In response to the shortage of medical equipment, U.S. automobile manufacturers are operating factories to produce ventilators and other devices. Ford, a U.S. automaker, announced on the same day that it is collaborating with medical device companies GE Healthcare and 3M to improve the design of ventilators and oxygen respirators. The company plans to produce such equipment by using fans, batteries, and other parts used in automobiles through design improvements. Ford has already started producing transparent face shields that medical staff can use in addition to existing protective gear, delivering 1,000 units to three hospitals in the Detroit area.

In addition, General Motors (GM) and Tesla are expected to begin producing medical equipment soon. Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed on Twitter that he purchased 1,255 ventilators approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in China and shipped them to Los Angeles, USA. Earlier, on the 22nd, President Trump encouraged these companies on Twitter, saying they had received approval to produce ventilators and other metal products, urging, "Hurry up, auto executives, cheer up, let’s see how well you do."

Meanwhile, the Blue House announced that President Moon said during the phone call with President Trump that "if there is surplus domestically, we will support as much as possible" regarding the request for medical equipment support. When President Moon mentioned that "(support) may require approval procedures from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)," President Trump responded, "I will take immediate action to ensure approval can be granted today."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.