logo
‘No wonder the ASX lost $20 billion': Trump flags tariffs on pharmaceuticals

‘No wonder the ASX lost $20 billion': Trump flags tariffs on pharmaceuticals

Sky News AUa day ago
Centre of Independent Studies' Tom Switzer says the Australian pharmaceutical sector has a 'comparative advantage' after US President Donald Trump flagged tariffs on pharmaceuticals.
This comes amid today's blow to the ASX of around $20 billion.
'I think it's much worse news for Australia than other tariffs – after all, pharmaceuticals are one of those few areas beyond the mining … where we really have a comparative advantage,' Mr Switzer told Sky News host Chris Kenny.
'Our innovators do a tremendous job of converting complicated technology into commercial success.
'No wonder why the ASX today lost $20 billion – even more reason for Canberra to have greater access to Washington to try to cushion the blow.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

EU readies retaliatory list targeting US services
EU readies retaliatory list targeting US services

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

EU readies retaliatory list targeting US services

The EU executive is preparing a list of proposed restrictions on US services companies -- including tech giants -- should Brussels fail to strike a trade deal with Washington, European diplomats said on Thursday. US President Donald Trump blindsided the European Union earlier this month by threatening to slap 30 percent tariffs on the bloc's goods, despite months of talks to get an agreement. If they don't clinch a deal by August 1, Brussels has warned it will have no choice but to retaliate against Trump's steep levies because of their economic impact, and has drawn up two lists of US goods to target. The European Commission, steering trade policy for the 27-country bloc, is also working on a list of American services -- including financial services -- it could hit with restrictions, for example on public procurement, EU diplomats said. It could also mean excluding certain suppliers, one diplomat said, adding that the commission had not yet put forward any list to EU member states. Any action on services would be in addition to two sets of retaliatory tariffs on goods: one put forward this week that targets 72 billion euros ($83 billion) of US products, and another worth 21 billion euros, drawn up in response to steel and aluminium tariffs. One EU diplomat said the bloc could retaliate step-by-step, hitting the United States with first the smaller, then the larger counter tariffs on goods -- before potentially escalating to services. The official also stressed the EU had yet to even approve the measures by vote and that they could still change, but another diplomat said Brussels would have no choice but to respond "forcefully". Most EU member states want to keep options on the table but have backed the commission's attempts to try once again to get an agreement before firing off retaliatory measures. The EU's top trade negotiator, Maros Sefcovic, jetted to Washington on Wednesday for talks with his US counterparts but the commission did not provide details on meetings. There are questions over Europe's appetite for a damaging fight with Trump if he slaps on the 30-percent levies as promised. But France has been pushing for Brussels to take a harder line and consider deploying its most powerful trade tool, known as the anti-coercion instrument, if negotiations with the United States end in disappointment. Even if Brussels were to activate this so-called trade "bazooka", it could take months before any measures were taken, according to the rules. First, the commission would have four months to investigate the third country it accuses of detrimental trade policies -- then member states would have eight to 10 weeks to back any proposal for action. Only then would the commission have a green light to prepare measures, to take effect within six months.

‘Made a mess of Gaza': Hamas can ‘end the war tomorrow' if they release remaining hostages
‘Made a mess of Gaza': Hamas can ‘end the war tomorrow' if they release remaining hostages

Sky News AU

time5 hours ago

  • Sky News AU

‘Made a mess of Gaza': Hamas can ‘end the war tomorrow' if they release remaining hostages

Executive Council of Australian Jewry Co-CEO Peter Wertheim says terrorist group Hamas can 'end the war tomorrow' if they lay down their arms and release the hostages. 'Hamas planned and started the war, they have lost the war, their leaders are dead,' Mr Wertheim told Sky News host Danica De Giorgio. 'They have made a mess of Gaza, they have ruined the lives of the Palestinians in Gaza with the war they started. 'And they can end the war tomorrow by releasing the hostages and laying down their arms.'

Israel's strikes on Damascus were to ‘protect their Druze brethren in Syria'
Israel's strikes on Damascus were to ‘protect their Druze brethren in Syria'

Sky News AU

time5 hours ago

  • Sky News AU

Israel's strikes on Damascus were to ‘protect their Druze brethren in Syria'

Executive Council of Australian Jewry Co-CEO Peter Wertheim defends Israel's strikes on Damascus, citing the protection of the Druze community. 'It has a context, you can't just judge international political conflicts on the basis of superficial images that are propagated by social media,' Mr Wertheim told Sky News host Danica De Giorgio. 'For much of its history, the majority Suni population mistreated a lot of these minority groups in a very severe way. 'With the fall of the Assad regime and the takeover of Syria by a former Islamic State Al-Qaeda terrorist leader. 'Things have reverted back to what they traditionally were …. Israel has come in … and they have demanded action to protect their Druze brethren in Syria.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store