Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks stated that his company can assist in addressing national security concerns regarding essential medicines as potential pharmaceutical tariffs loom. The Trump administration initiated a Section 232 investigation into the impact of importing certain drugs on U.S. national security, which could lead to tariffs. It remains unclear whether these tariffs will target branded or generic drugs, with the latter primarily manufactured in countries like India and China. Ricks emphasized the importance of bringing production capacity back to the U.S. for emergencies. He noted that while national security concerns are valid, he is uncertain if tariffs are the best solution. Eli Lilly has already announced a $27 billion investment to build new production sites in the U.S., suggesting that industry reshoring might reduce the need for tariffs. Ricks also advocated for permanent lower tax rates to incentivize domestic manufacturing.
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