According to a to White House official, the United States (US) has “evidence” of China hoarding up the personal protective equipments (PPEs) such as masks and gloves and selling them at higher rates now to other countries, News18 reported.
White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Peter Navarro said China had bought 18 times more amount of PPEs in January and February this year, and alleged that due to this many countries like India and Brazil were facing shortage of equipments.
“China vacuumed up all of the personal protective equipment around the world while it was hiding the virus,” Navarro told Fox Business News in an interview.
“I have evidence directly from the Chinese government customs duty union that shows that, in the months of January and February, they bought 18 times more amount of masks,” he said.
He added the communist nation bought over 2 billion masks and also increased its expenditure for goggles and gloves.
“Not only China is hoarding, but is also selling these at a high rate,” the official said. “They are also selling it back to the world at prices that are obscene.”
As a result of China’s hoarding, Navarro said, the US had to pace up its production for medicines, medical supplies and equipment.
While saying these acts needed to be investigated, he said it was not a responsible behaviour from a country in an international order that they claim they want to be part of.
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