Pfizer CEO says tariff uncertainty is deterring further U.S. investment in manufacturing, R&D

Source: NBC News/CNBC

April 29, 2025, 3:10 PM EDT / Source: CNBC


Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla on Tuesday said uncertainty around President Donald Trump’s planned pharmaceutical tariffs is deterring the company from further investing in U.S. manufacturing and research and development.

Bourla’s remarks on the company’s first-quarter earnings call came in response to a question about what Pfizer wants to see from tariff negotiations that would push the company to increase investments in the U.S. It comes as drugmakers brace for Trump’s levies on pharmaceuticals imported into the country — his administration’s bid to boost domestic manufacturing.

“If I know that there will not be tariffs ... then there are tremendous investments that can happen in this country, both in R&D and manufacturing,” Bourla said on the call, adding that the company is also hoping for “certainty.”

“In periods of uncertainty, everybody is controlling their cost as we are doing, and then is very frugal with their investment, as we are doing, so that we are prepared for remit. So that’s what I want to see,” Bourla said.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/pfizer-ceo-says-tariff-uncertainty-deterring-us-investment-manufacturi-rcna203572