STAT+: Trump is looking for drugmakers to come through for him. They have a wish list for him, too
President Trump is looking for drugmakers to come through for him. They have a wish list for him, too.
After announcing plans to build four manufacturing sites in the U.S. on Wednesday, Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks skillfully demurred when asked if the move might forestall tariffs that President Trump has threatened to levy on the pharmaceutical industry.
“There’s no discussion about that yet,” he told CNBC. “…But it makes no sense to punish companies that are pursuing this agenda.”
Indeed, the ambitious project — which involves a $27 billion investment — comes as pharmaceutical executives try to navigate the Trump administration amid threats of tariffs and ongoing controversy over the cost of medicines. To his credit, Ricks appears to have taken a notable step toward avoiding a potentially painful clash with the president.
