3M accused of selling medical masks to foreign countries before America

The 3M company faces a consumer boycott after they were accused of selling much needed medical masks to cash buyers representing other countries before selling them to America. The company was hit hard on Twitter by President Donald Trump and thousands of angry users who were using the hashtag, #Boycott3M.

This was all revealed during an interview with Tucker Carlson and Jared Moskowitz, the head of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management.

Moskowitz suggests that 3M distributors are “prioritizing foreign buyers after they refused to sell him the essential equipment.”

It’s stated that the sales and shipping of the medical masks, commonly called N95’s, are going first to the foreign countries who are simply outbidding the United States buyers. This is happened even with American hospitals being in great need for the medical masks as nurses, doctors, and other staffers are experiencing a major shortage and at times – making their own masks or reusing the same ones, which are not very effective after a certain number of hours.

Moskowitz was quoted as saying, “For the last several weeks, we have had a boiler room chasing down 3M authorized distributors [and] brokers representing that they sell the N95 masks, only get to warehouses that are completely empty… [We are] being told that our shipments are on cargo planes and the flights don’t even appear. We are chasing ghosts. I just decided to turn up the heat and tell people what is actually happening in the N95 mask space.”

He also states that he contacted numerous authorized 3M distributors and was “shocked to find American companies quietly partnering with foreign buyers at a time of national crisis.”

Moskowitz took his information and posted on Twitter about it. He said, “Hi @3M. I’m your new Troll. I’m the Director of Emergency Management for the State of Florida @FLSERT. Please send us N95 masks directly to our hospitals, first responders and the state. How many brokers and distributors do we have to negotiate with only to find empty warehouses?”

Hi @3M. I’m your new Troll. I’m the Director of Emergency Management for the State of Florida @FLSERT. Please send us N95 masks directly to our hospitals, first responders and the state. How many brokers and distributors do we have to negotiate with only to find empty warehouses? https://t.co/0E3gLc3R5t

— Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) March 30, 2020

He later continued, in his interview with Tucker Carlson, saying “I thought perhaps maybe what 3M would finally say to me is that they have masks to sell me, but what I actually found out is even more frightening… Which is that the system is completely broken. 3M has lost total control. What I asked 3M is, are they aware they’re authorized distributors — U.S. companies — are telling me the reason why our orders are being pushed down is because foreign countries are showing up with cash to purchase the orders … not only did they not dispute it, [but] I asked them if they put out any guidance to prevent the behavior and the answer was no.”

It appears the big problem is that 3M is allowing their distributors to sell to whomever pays the most and not placing any priority on their country at a time in need. It’s unclear if the distributors would be permitted to sell to American companies first if they wanted to, or if they’re being forced by 3M to sell to highest bidders only.

Twitter users are extremely upset about the lack of “America first” mentality from 3M who is allowing foreign nations to have the masks first, because they’re paying for. Essentially, putting capitalist profit over their country in need.

Keep in mind, those posting about boycotting 3M were met with push-back from users who suggested that’s simply how capitalism works.

The tweets below show both sides of what’s happening.

Trump announces that he's just signed the Defense Production Act "against" 3M for the production of face masks.

"Hopefully they will be able to do what they are supposed to do," he adds. pic.twitter.com/ZTs8SRe8LW

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 2, 2020

BOYCOTT 3M!! They ARE NOT selling their masks to US states and are selling them to the highest bidders abroad. 🤬😡 #boycott3M

— Ann Putney Thompson (@APutneyThompson) April 3, 2020

So weird. I thought free market republicans would be ok with 3M selling masks to the highest bidder…. #boycott3M

— Zimmerman Complex (@JustPlayinRelax) April 3, 2020

"Boycott 3M"

– 3M is selling Life Saving Equipment to "Other Countries" while the US is in desperate need.

– US Hospitals, Emergency Services, and City & States need these Protective and Life Saving Equipment

– I call for an immediate Boycott of "All" 3M Products!#boycott3m pic.twitter.com/sFW6IkYhGw

— @TracyHutchSGT (@tracyhutchsgt) April 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/PaulLidicul/status/1245890859788316674?s=20

https://twitter.com/SergioJSiano/status/1245900174284795904?s=20

YOU mean to tell me
An AMERICAN CAPITALISTIC COMPANY
SOLD AMERICA OUT (WHILE IN AMERICA–MIND YOU)
and SOLD THEIR PRODUCT TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER?
IF ONLY the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD A LEGAL WARTIME WAY TO STOP THIS#Boycott3M my (@(.
They're a fvcking PRODUCT of their ENVIRONMENT

— Keirson_K (@woodson_kb) April 3, 2020

@3M, so much for “America First”. You should be ashamed for placing foreign governments OVER America. Meanwhile, the US is getting PPE shipped from overseas while you sell to foreign governments. #Boycott3m

— Chris DV (@TaterC2) April 3, 2020

I will go out of my way to not buy @3M products since they are throwing out country under the bus and selling N95 masks to other countries before America. #BloodMoney #ShameOn3M #Boycott3M

— Jared Johnston (@jrodjohnston) April 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/ClancyRatliff/status/1245896002709659648?s=20

https://twitter.com/LVNancy/status/1245903865490243584?s=20