President Donald Trump has slammed medical mask producer 3M Co after earlier announcing he was invoking the Defense Production Act to get the company to stop selling to higher bidding foreign countries.

Trump shared plans to legally oblige the firm to produce N95 masks in a Coronavirus Task Force briefing Thursday night.

He elaborated in a tweet late on Thursday that his administration was shocked the company was selling to higher bidding foreign countries while medical teams on the frontline at home are lacking the vital personal protective equipment they need to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

'We hit 3M hard today after seeing what they were doing with their Masks,' the leader tweeted. '"P Act" all the way.'

President Trump said in a coronavirus Task Force briefing Thursday that he hopes 3M 'will do what they're supposed to do' after 'it was a 'big surprise to many in government' that they were selling masks to higher bidding countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic

'We hit 3M hard today after seeing what they were doing with their Masks. "P Act" all the way,' Trump tweeted Thursday night. He added the firm 'will have a big price to pay!'

Dr. Nicole McCullough, a global health and safety expert at 3M, demonstrates the correct way to put on a N95 respiratory mask at a laboratory of 3M on March 4

Trump continued: 'Big surprise to many in government as to what they were doing - will have a big price to pay!'

The president's social media post followed White House trade adviser Peter Navarro's comment in the briefing that they've 'had some issues making sure that all of the production that 3M does around the world, enough of it is coming back here to the right places'.

The company not only makes healthcare supplies but owns Scotch, Post-It and Nexcare.

Trump also directed the US Health and Human Services secretary to use his authority to help facilitate the supply of ventilator materials for six companies - General Electric, Hill-Rom Holdings, Medtronic, Resmed, Royal Philips and Vyaire Medical.

'I am grateful to these and other domestic manufacturers for ramping up their production of ventilators during this difficult time," Trump said in statement.

'Today's order will save lives by removing obstacles in the supply chain that threaten the rapid production of ventilators.'

As coronavirus attacks the respiratory system, the masks help protect people on the front line as they treat infected individuals.

The Act passed in 1950 gives the president the power to make private companies produce for reasons of national security.

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro commented in the briefing that they've 'had some issues making sure that all of the production that 3M does around the world, enough of it is coming back here to the right places'. Pictured, Seattle Police officer Rosell Ellis, right, wears an N95 mask as he listens to conversation during a routine call Thursday

He first used the act last week to make General Motors produce ventilators during this national emergency.

It was a move that was urged by state governors, including Andrew Cuomo of New York, where the the highest rate of infection and deaths are in the country.

The CDC is expected to announce guidelines for people to wear some kind of cover over their face when in public.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio warned all New Yorkers Thursday that they should cover their mouth and nose with a homemade cloth mask when they go outside, even if they are healthy, to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking during his daily press conference on the city's coronavirus response, the mayor revealed that new evidence has suggested that face coverings may prevent the spread of the coronavirus but added he did not regret delaying the order.

De Blasio warned that most New Yorkers should craft their own face covering using cloth, a scarf or a bandanna, leaving face masks for medical staff and others working on the front line.

He also said that he had spoken with President Donald Trump earlier on Thursday, calling for a national enlistment to be established for medical professionals, or anyone with medical training at all, that would deploy even civilians to the major outbreak hotspots.

Above shows the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in New York State as of Thursday

Above shows the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the US as of Thursday night