Roche CEO, pharma execs to meet with Swiss government over US tariffs

By John Revill

ZURICH (Reuters) – On Monday, Roche Chief Executive Thomas Schinecker, along with other high-ranking representatives from Switzerland’s pharmaceutical sector, will convene with government officials to address the implications of U.S. tariffs on this critical export market.

The U.S. government has enacted a 39% tariff—one of the highest among targeted nations—on Swiss imports, including watches and machinery. Currently, Swiss pharmaceuticals are exempt from this tax, but the looming threat of tariffs on drug imports, potentially reaching as high as 250% under an ongoing Section 232 national security investigation, has raised significant concern within the industry.

Pharmaceuticals: A Pillar of Swiss Exports

Joining Roche in the discussions will be executives from other pharmaceutical giants including Novartis and Sandoz, and the meeting is set to include Business Minister Guy Parmelin and Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, according to government announcements.

While Roche, Novartis, and Sandoz have not responded to inquiries, participation from Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and the Australian biotech firm CSL is also anticipated.

Minister Parmelin recently visited Washington to strategize around the tariffs, though the current tariff negotiations themselves will not form part of the discussion agenda, as clarified by a government spokesperson.

The Economic Impact of Tariffs

The focus could shift toward drug pricing strategies in Switzerland, a matter that the health ministry reportedly finds common ground on with pharmaceutical companies.

As the primary export category from Switzerland to the U.S., the pharmaceutical sector accounted for shipments worth 32.75 billion Swiss francs ($41.28 billion) last year, representing nearly 50% of total Swiss exports to the U.S.

Should the 39% tariff be expanded to include pharmaceuticals, estimates suggest a potential decline of more than 1% in Swiss economic output.

Interestingly, Swiss pharmaceutical exports to the U.S. have already seen a downturn since April, attributed to importers stockpiling inventory earlier in the year, aiming to avert the impending levies.

Investment Strategies Amid Trade Challenges

In a preemptive move to minimize the repercussions of import duties, Swiss companies—pharmaceutical firms included—have pledged to enhance their investment within the U.S. Roche has announced a monumental investment of $50 billion over the next five years, projecting the creation of over 12,000 new jobs. Similarly, Novartis has outlined intentions to invest $23 billion for the development and expansion of ten facilities in the U.S.

According to Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan, the strategy is to produce key products for the American market domestically, thereby fully mitigating the effects of any potential tariffs. “This should allow us to fully mitigate any tariffs,” Narasimhan stated in a recent interview.

($1 = 0.7933 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Joe Bavier)