Trump Invokes Defense Act to Compel GM to Make Ventilators

From Car and Driver

• President Trump tweeted today that GM and Ford need to start building ventilators immediately, a day after he questioned the New York governor's request for tens of thousands more ventilators.

• GM and Ford have each already said that they are collaborating with medical-supply companies to build the systems.

• The systems are vital to keeping those severely sick with COVID-19 alive and breathing.

UPDATE 3/27/20, 4:50 P.M.: President Trump, under the the Defense Production Act, has issued an order for GM to begin production of ventilators. "Today’s action will help ensure the quick production of ventilators that will save American lives," the order reads. The act was first enacted during the Korean War and gives the president to order production and distribution of goods which are necessary to national defense.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has strained medical supplies in the United States and has exponentially increased the need for ventilators, a problem that automakers including Ford and General Motors have said they would take on through their production capabilities. Now, a day after President Trump voiced doubt regarding the high number of ventilators needed in New York, he has taken to Twitter to demand that the two automakers begin producing ventilators now.

“General Motors MUST immediately open their stupidly abandoned Lordstown plant in Ohio, or some other plant, and START MAKING VENTILATORS, NOW!!!!!! FORD, GET GOING ON VENTILATORS, FAST!!!!!!” the president tweeted on Friday.

In a separate tweet also posted this morning, the president accused General Motors of promising 40,000 ventilators "very quickly" but then pulling back and saying "it will only be 6000, in late April, and they want top dollar. Always a mess with Mary B" (referring to GM CEO Mary Barra).