U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 5th (local time) that he will announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals within the next two weeks.
On this day, Trump responded to questions about the tariff rates on pharmaceuticals and the timing of the announcement while signing an executive order to promote drug manufacturing at the White House.
Trump emphasized, "I will make a significant announcement next week regarding drug prices," and noted, "The United States is being taken unfairly compared to other countries."
During this event, Trump signed an executive order directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the approval process for building pharmaceutical plants in the U.S.
According to the White House, the order also includes provisions for accelerating the approval processes related to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Additionally, it is reported that the order includes measures such as increasing inspection fees for overseas pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, improving the reporting requirements for foreign pharmaceutical companies regarding active ingredient sources, and reviewing the publication of a list of facilities not in compliance with U.S. reporting standards.
Earlier, Trump directed the Department of Commerce to investigate the impact of pharmaceutical imports on national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act last month.
If a specific imported item is deemed a threat to national security, the Trade Expansion Act's Section 232 allows for actions like tariffs, and the Department of Commerce must submit a report within 270 days.
Additionally, on this day, Trump signed an executive order prohibiting federal funding for dangerous "gain-of-function" research.
This executive order prohibits support for gain-of-function research conducted overseas and addresses strengthening the safety and security of biological research.
Gain-of-function research, which studies mutated viruses, has drawn attention in relation to the "COVID-19 China origin theory."