Trump Threatens Action Against UK Drug Firms Over Prices

URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump has declared war on British drug companies, demanding they cut prices within 60 days or face severe consequences. In a bold move, Trump has targeted 17 firms, including AstraZeneca and GSK (GlaxoSmithKline), insisting on “binding commitments” to align their prices with those offered to developing nations.

This announcement comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions, as the White House has rolled out new tariffs on 68 countries, including increased levies on Canada. The aggressive pricing strategy aims to benefit American consumers, but it could also have significant repercussions for the UK’s NHS, which relies on its purchasing power to negotiate drug prices.

Trump’s demand includes applying “most favored nation” pricing to Medicaid, the health program for low-income Americans. “Make no mistake: a collaborative effort towards achieving global pricing parity would be the most effective path for companies, the government, and American patients,” Trump stated. He added, “If you refuse to step up, we will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abusive drug pricing practices. Americans are demanding lower drug prices, and they need them today.”

The ramifications of this pricing push are already evident, with £16 billion wiped off shares in the pharmaceutical sector across Europe as investors fear that higher prices abroad will fund reductions in the U.S. market. Trump previously indicated his desire to cut drug prices in the U.S. by as much as 80 percent, but experts remain skeptical about his authority to enforce such changes, recalling failed attempts during his first term.

The situation escalated further when Trump announced an executive order imposing tariffs of up to 35 percent on Canadian goods, citing their lack of cooperation in combating illegal drugs entering the U.S., including fentanyl. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded, asserting that his country is making “historic investments in border security to arrest drug traffickers and end migrant smuggling.”

Meanwhile, negotiations continue with Switzerland, which faces a staggering 39 percent tariff rate, much higher than anticipated, as both nations strive to address trade discrepancies.

As the clock ticks down on Trump’s ultimatum to UK drug companies, the pharmaceutical landscape could witness dramatic shifts. The outcome of this confrontation will likely ripple through global markets and impact healthcare for millions of Americans.

Stay tuned as this story develops, and be prepared for the potential fallout from Trump’s latest economic maneuvering. The stakes are high, and the implications could shape the future of drug pricing and international trade.