Pharma sector needs protecting from Trump tariffs, warn MPs

A group of Liberal Democrat MPs have written to health secretary Wes Streeting urging him to protect the pharmaceutical industry from US president Donald Trump’s trade war.

The five ministers from Oxfordshire, Olly Glover, Layla Moran, Calum Miller, Charlie Maynard, and Freddie van Mierlo, have warned that Trump’s campaign to raise tariffs has already led to “catastrophic damage”.

There are a large number of pharmaceutical companies based in Oxfordshire and the wider Thames Valley region.

"Trump’s trade war has already caused catastrophic damage and I’m particularly concerned about what possible pharmaceutical tariffs might mean,” said Glover, Liberal Democrat MP for Didcot and Wantage.

"Pharmaceutical industry jobs are especially important here in Oxfordshire, with Milton Park in my constituency being a crucial hub for pharmaceutical innovation.

"It is vital that they are protected."

Trump has enacted sweeping changes on a wide range of U.S. domestic and foreign policy priorities since taking office on January 20. He has upended the world economic order with tariffs, slashed the federal government with job cuts and done away with diversity programs in the public and private sector.

The president launched an all-out trade war on numerous countries this year before putting reciprocal tariffs largely on hold to allow for negotiations with individual nations. His administration hopes to secure agreements within 90 days.

The UK has pushed for a trade deal with the US in the hope that this could soften the impact of the Trump tariffs.

Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt said yesterday that trade talks were "moving in a very positive way".

The MPs' call comes as some companies that rely heavily on exports to the US are reportedly considering moving their manufacturing from the UK to America, according to RBC analysts.

"The life sciences sector needs a genuine industrial strategy to support growth and provide the conditions for growth, not just warm words from the government,” said van Mierlo, MP for Henley and Thame and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Access to Medicines

"Manufacturing of advanced therapeutics should go alongside our thriving research and innovation sector.

"It is also vital that ministers take steps to reassure the public and prepare for every scenario that the chaotic Trump administration could force upon us."

Mierlo called for the creation of a government task force to help protect people and pharmaceutical companies, both nationally and in Oxfordshire.