Trump has recently enlisted the Defense Production Act for its first use of coronaviruses to persuade General Motors to produce ventilators, but it will take some time before production starts up. Democrats want a broader application of the law.
Schumer has repeatedly urged the President to rely on the Defense Production Act to increase the supply of medical devices. Trump recently appointed Peter Navarro, the current White House trade advisor, as the political coordinator of the National Defense Production Act.
Schumer said “Morning Joe” that he had recently spoken to Navarro and was “very disappointed” ; “He is a good man,” said Schumer. “He is a professor. He knows a lot about China. He doesn’t know anything about it. “
The clashes between Schumer and Trump come when the Democrats begin to push for a phase 4 aid package for coronaviruses. While spokeswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) has already outlined a vision for the fourth package, the Senate Republicans initially want to focus on implementing the $ 2 trillion bailout package – the largest in history – that Congress passed and the president signed last week.