Trump Administration Weighs Severe Restrictions on US Pharmas Licensing Chinese Medicines

The Trump administration is considering a draft executive order that would impose strict restrictions on US pharmaceutical companies licensing experimental treatments developed in China125.

The proposal would block US drugmakers from acquiring Chinese-invented experimental drugs and subject such deals to heightened national security reviews125.

Additional measures include requiring more rigorous FDA review of Chinese clinical trial data and imposing higher regulatory fees for companies submitting such data5.

The draft order calls for increased US manufacturing of essential drugs like antibiotics and acetaminophen, with preference for government procurement given to domestically produced medicines125.

This plan has led to intense lobbying:
major investors close to Trump advocate for restrictions citing national security and innovation fears, while global pharma giants like Pfizer and AstraZeneca oppose, warning it could limit patient access to life-saving and low-cost treatments1235.

Though the White House states the order is not yet under active consideration, ongoing consultations with investors and industry leaders suggest new restrictions could be enacted soon12.

Sources:

1. https://www.newsradio1029.com/2025/09/10/trump-weighs-restrictions-on-chinese-medicines/

2. https://www.wjbc.com/2025/09/10/trump-weighs-restrictions-on-chinese-medicines/

3. https://san.com/cc/trump-drafts-executive-order-targeting-chinas-experimental-drug-dominance/

5. https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/trump-admin-mulls-severe-restrictions-us-pharmas-securing-chinese-meds-nyt