As the Covid crisis in India erupts, the United States has dealt a blow to India’s vaccination policy, signaling that it would prioritize its own population above India’s call for vaccine components.
“We have a particular commitment to the American people,” the US State Department spokeswoman told journalists.
“It is, of course, not only in our favor to see Americans vaccinated; it is also in the interests of the rest of the world.” The implication was that the vaccination of Indians was less relevant.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his counterpart Anthony Blinken have held several rounds of talks about easing the US export embargo. Harsh Shringla, the Foreign Minister, has had close talks with Wendy Sherman, the US Deputy Secretary of State.
Any US Congressmen have also voiced solidarity, according to Washington reports. However, it is now clear that this would be a challenging task.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed reservations about assisting India in developing its pharmaceutical industry, especially given India’s recent restrictions on pharmaceutical exports in the wake of the Covid crisis.
“We now have a situation with India where, in connection with the emergency situation of the pandemic, we are concerned if medicinal drugs will even come to us,” Merkel said, according to Politico.
US companies to prioritise COVID-19 production
President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, invoked the war-time Defense Development Act (DPA), which forces US companies to prioritize the production of COVID-19 vaccines and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for domestic manufacturing in order to fight the deadly pandemic in America, the worst-affected nation.
To achieve the target of vaccinating the entire population by July 4, the United States has increased the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, mostly by Pfizer and Moderna.
Its raw material suppliers are being pressured to supply it only to domestic producers in the United States, despite the fact that it is in high demand globally and sought after by major Indian manufacturers.
