US think tank article: Chinese medical supplies export brings hope to global epidemic prevention
An article published on the website of the Peterson Institute of International Economics in the United States on March 26 entitled "China's Medical Materials Exports Brings Light of Hope" (author: Chad P. Bowen) states that, The Lampe government has demonized China's impact on the new crown epidemic, and there has been widespread concern that vital Chinese personal protective equipment exports to the United States will disappear. However, recently released data from Chinese customs shows that these exports have not fallen as sharply as people feared. Given the severe shortage of global masks, medical protective clothing and other personal protective equipment, this latest data will bring a small ray of sunlight.
The article pointed out that, coincidentally, the New York Times reported that China currently produces 116 million masks per day, which is 12 times the supply capacity before the outbreak. The Chinese government and entrepreneurs are providing protective equipment to countries such as Italy.
The article said that, presumably, governments may now feel less pressure to establish new trade barriers, including those imposed by the European Union and other countries, which are now spreading like wildfires. Protectionism—whether it restricts imports and exports or implements “buy only local goods” for hospital procurement activities—will choke off the basic supply line, raise prices, and pay the price of life.
The article also states that I hope President Trump can respond to requests like Rep. Doug Collins' ban on the export of U.S. medical equipment, and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro's U.S. should ban hospitals from China or any other possible Proposals for importing such critical supplies locally are ignored. Forcing medical services to spend more time and money looking for only the necessary equipment that may not be available in some parts of the country will result in higher prices and waste their valuable resources dedicated to treating patients with new coronavirus.
The article argues that as this crisis continues to develop, newcomer patients and medical experts around the world need policy makers to allow the necessary supplies and equipment to flow unimpeded from one country to another if needed. Global cooperation is the only way for countries to minimize the damage caused by the New Crown epidemic wherever they go.