The Trump administration has frozen all its overseas coronavirus aid after officials discovered that it was sending protective gear to Thailand, according to US media reports.
Trump administration officials were looking to source protective gear for their healthcare workers and called their counterparts in Thailand to inquire about buying gear only to discover that the US government had pledged equipment to Thailand and had already delivered one shipment.
The US moved quickly to halt all shipments and ordered a review of overseas medical aid according to US News site Politico.
“It’s a good thing that we’re taking a holistic look at where and when we’re sending PPE as we’re looking to fulfill needs here at home,” said the Pence coronavirus taskforce spokeswoman Katie Miller.
Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told Thai Enquirer on Tuesday that the ministry was looking to source hazmat and PPE gear wherever it was available, anywhere in the world, to better protect Thai healthcare workers.
