Americans hijack masks destined for France, by buying them in cash "on the tarmac" of Chinese airports

In this period of epidemic, protective masks have become real objects of lust, for which some countries are ready for anything. Explanations.

War is declared !

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc, the race for the supply of protective masks is in full swing and all blows seem to be allowed!

 Thus, we learn today that masks intended for France are hijacked by the Americans who seize them on the tarmac of Chinese airports, outbidding at the last minute.

"The Americans take out the cash and pay three or four times more"

Jean Rottner, president of the Grand Est region - the most affected by the epidemic - protested this Wednesday at the microphone of RTL.

"It's complicated, we fight 24 hours a day" to get the masks delivered, he said.

"I have a small cell at the regional level which works very hard so that, with the sponsors, I can win these markets. And indeed, on the tarmac, the Americans take out the cash and pay three or four times for the orders we have made, so we really have to fight, "he lamented again.

"I was very happy to see this plane arrive at our place last night", however, rejoiced the interested party, referring to the two million surgical masks ordered by the Great East from China and sent the day before to the Basel-Mulhouse Airport.

"It's an incredible obstacle course"

His PACA counterpart, Renaud Muselier, said nothing else and confirmed that he had heard of these incredible practices during a meeting organized recently with his colleagues.

"A regional president explained to us that his order for masks had been stolen from him at the airport itself, by the Americans, who paid three times the price, in cash," said the former secretary of state for foreign affairs, interviewed by AFP.

To prepare for any eventuality and recover an order for four million masks, ready since last Saturday, the Paca Region therefore "finally decided to go through Ceva, the logistics subsidiary of CMA-CGM", a shipping company of French charter based in Marseille.

"At least I'm sure no one is going to buy them from me on the tarmac. Normally, they are on their way to the airport. But I remain cautious of Sioux, it's an incredible obstacle course, "said Renaud Muselier, however.

As you can see, the supply of masks has become the main issue in this fierce fight against the Covid-19 epidemic.

President Emmanuel Macron, who has been the subject of much criticism since the beginning of this unprecedented health crisis, promised on Tuesday "the full and complete independence" of France in terms of masks, by the end of the year.

Photo credit: BERMIX STUDIO 

Source: AFP