Trump, US President, "Support for Italy's COVID-19 Response"

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] On the 10th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive memorandum directing government departments to assist Italy in responding to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, Bloomberg News reported.

According to the executive memorandum, the U.S. Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and others will supply medical materials to Italy and provide various humanitarian aid support.

U.S. troops stationed in Italy will offer telemedicine services locally, assist in constructing field hospitals, and supply materials, while the Department of Commerce should encourage American suppliers to export the materials requested by Italian health authorities.

President Trump stated that the Secretary of State, who oversees the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Export-Import Bank, may use the authority granted to support Italy's economic recovery.

President Trump said, "Italy, one of our closest and oldest allies, has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic," adding, "This disease has claimed more than 18,000 lives in Italy, pushed the Italian healthcare system to the brink of collapse, and threatens the Italian economy with a deep recession."

He further added that this order "demonstrates American leadership in countering fake news campaigns by China and Russia."