OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says two planes sent to China to pick up shipments of sorely needed medical supplies were forced to return to Canada empty.

Trudeau told reporters today that the cargo-less planes are an example of the complexities in China when it comes to securing personal protective equipment, which has become a valuable commodity in the global battle against Covid-19.


“Unfortunately, the planes had to take off in this situation without receiving their cargo deliveries," Trudeau said during his daily Covid-19 update. “We have been fighting in a very competitive international environment where everyone is looking for PPE.”