US President Donald Trump on Monday hinted at a possible retaliation if India does not lift its hold on the export of Hydroxychloroquine. The drug is being touted as a “game-changer” in the fight against the coronavirus by Trump. His remarks come nearly two weeks after the government banned the export of the drug as experts test its efficacy in helping treat COVID-19 patients.
Trump speaking from the White House during the Coronavirus taskforce briefing said that India does very well with the US and he sees no reason why India would not lift the hold on the US order of the medicine.
Trump said, “I would be surprised if he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) would, you know, because India does very well with the United States. I don’t like that decision, I didn’t hear that that was his decision. I know that he stopped it for other countries. I spoke to him yesterday, we had a very good talk and we’ll see whether or not that’s his… For many years, they’ve been taken advantage of the United States on trade. So I would be surprised if that were his decision. He’d have to tell me that. I spoke to him Sunday morning, called him, and I said, we’d appreciate you allowing our supply to come out. If he doesn’t allow it to come out. That would be OK. But of course, there may be retaliation. Why wouldn’t there be.”
President Trump made the request for releasing the hold on hydroxychloroquine in a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday. India has not yet decided either way yet. Prime Minister Modi had told the American leader during the call that India “will do all that we can”.
As reported by sources to NDTV, India is one of the largest manufacturers of hydroxychloroquine in the world and banned its export, along with a bunch of others deeming it essential for its own domestic to fight the pandemic. Amid rising pressure, however, the government is likely to take a decision on the matter today and clear the move after calculating sufficient stocks for the country.
India has reported over 4,000 coronavirus patients so far and more than 100 deaths.
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