Germany accuses US of seizing thousands of protective face masks

Unprepared for the coronavirus pandemic, officials worldwide have been scrambling for protective medical gear. Germany has accused the US of competing for vital health care resources with "wild west" methods.

Germany said it would leave without 200 thousand respiratory masks ordered in China for the German police, as the US confiscated them in Bangkok, Report says, citing the Tagesspiegel newspaper.

Berlin Interior Minister Andreas Geisel said US officials intercepted a shipment of 200,000 face masks in Bangkok intended for use during the coronavirus outbreak.

The source said that transatlantic partners should not allow "Wild West methods" to work during the coronavirus pandemic. He called on the US government to comply with international rules.

According to the publication, the masks ordered by Berlin were manufactured at the American company's factory in China. The goods were to be reloaded at the Bangkok airport and delivered to Germany by air.

The White House denies involvement in the illegal confiscation of respiratory masks.