US ambassador: China not blocking medical supply exports

The US ambassador to China said Wednesday that he doesn't believe Beijing is deliberately blocking exports of masks and other medical supplies to fight the coronavirus, and that the shipment of 1,200 tons of such products to the US could not have been possible without Chinese support.

Ambassador Terry Branstad also said the US has concerns about how China initially handled the virus outbreak in the central city of Wuhan, but that such issues should be addressed after the pandemic has been brought under control.

Let's focus now on saving lives and helping people, Branstad told a small group of reporters.

Chinese officials are believed to have delayed reporting the outbreak for several crucial days in January due to political concerns, allowing the virus to spread further.

China has adamantly denied doing so, despite strong evidence, saying it has consistently provided accurate, timely information.

Despite working with half their normal staff, US diplomats and local employees in China have been able to facilitate 21 flights of supplies on behalf of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with multiple private chartered flights, Branstad said.

He said there had been a slowdown in the provision of supplies, but that it appeared to be caused by China's implementation of stricter quality standards following complaints it was sending shoddy equipment abroad.

We have been able to solve several problems. We're just trying to find a workable way to get it done," Branstad said, adding that a March 27 telephone conversation between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, had been really helpful.

We always remind them of the leaders' commitment to work together to address these issues, the ambassador said.

I feel good about it and I feel that, yes, they want to enforce their laws and regulations ... we're trying to say let's use some common sense in doing this and if it's Food and Drug Administration approved and companies like 3M have already been shipping these things to the United States, it doesn't make sense to hold them up when we feel confident that it meets the quality requirements that we have."