Article content

Caught in the crossfire of a trade row between Canada and America, London-based 3M Canada is “looking at every possible way” to meet domestic demand for medical masks after President Donald Trump forced the company’s American factories to stop exporting the in-demand product.

As the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate, Trump on Friday signed an order directing his administration to stop the export of N-95 face masks – disposable masks that have the ability to block droplets and airborne particles – and other protective gear to other countries.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or London-based 3M Canada, pulled into Donald Trump maelstrom, eyes medical-mask options Back to video

3M is a major manufacturer of the N-95 masks, which are an essential tool for front-line health care workers around the globe.

Saturday, the manufacturer’s Canadian arm, headquartered in London, told The Free Press it’s looking at ways to meet domestic demand.

“Our primary concern remains the safety of health-care workers and first responders during this crisis, and we are currently reviewing the specific details of the executive memorandum and looking at every possible way to meet domestic needs for Canada,” 3M Canada’s president Penny Wise said in a statement.