Drugmakers Pledge Billions After Tariff Threat: What It Means for Logistics and Supply Chains

In the face of potential U.S. tariffs on imported medicines, major pharmaceutical companies are committing unprecedented investments to expand drug manufacturing on American soil. London-based GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and U.S. pharma giant Eli Lilly have each unveiled billion-dollar plans to boost their U.S. production and research capabilities, aiming to safeguard supply chains and create thousands of new jobs. These pledges come amid an industry-wide shift to bolster domestic operations as the Trump administration considers imposing steep duties on pharmaceutical imports.

According to a Wall Street Journal tally, more than a dozen drugmakers have collectively pledged over $350 billion in U.S. investments this decade, partly to offset potential tariff costs.

GSK’s $30 Billion U.S. Investment Drive

GSK announced it will invest $30 billion in the United States over the next five years to strengthen its research & development and supply-chain infrastructure. A cornerstone of this plan is a new $1.2 billion advanced manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia, dedicated to producing next-generation respiratory and cancer medicines. Construction of the Pennsylvania plant is scheduled to commence in 2026.

The investment also extends to upgrading GSK’s existing U.S. sites with cutting-edge technologies – including artificial intelligence and digital innovations – to enhance drug substance manufacturing and device assembly.

Lilly’s $5 Billion Virginia Manufacturing Facility

Eli Lilly & Co. announced plans to spend $5 billion on a new manufacturing campus in Virginia. This site will produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and advanced therapies, including targeted cancer medicines. Once completed, it will be among the world’s largest facilities for antibody-drug conjugates, a rapidly growing class of treatments.

The project is expected to generate about 2,450 jobs, including permanent positions in science and engineering and thousands more during construction. For every $1 invested, Lilly estimates $4 in local economic activity, further underscoring the impact of domestic expansion.

What It Means for Logistics and Supply Chains

For the logistics sector, these investments signal a surge in demand for specialized transportation, warehousing, and compliance services. As GSK and Lilly scale up U.S. manufacturing, supply chain partners will be tasked with:

  • Supporting high-volume inbound and outbound freight tied to construction, equipment installation, and pharmaceutical raw materials.
  • Expanding validated storage capacity to manage APIs, finished medicines, and critical materials under strict temperature requirements.
  • Ensuring regulatory compliance for both domestic and international shipments as the U.S. becomes a larger hub for production and export.
  • Final-mile precision logistics to deliver time-sensitive, high-value pharmaceutical products to distribution centers and clinical networks without delay.

This shift reinforces the need for logistics partners that can provide GMP-compliant warehousing, advanced temperature control (2-8°C and 15-25°C), customs brokerage expertise, and integrated international freight forwarding.

Euro-American’s Role

At Euro-American Worldwide Logistics, we’ve been supporting pharmaceutical manufacturers and life science organizations for decades. With validated cGMP storage, ISO-9001 and CTPAT certifications, and a global freight forwarding network, we are uniquely positioned to handle the complex logistics demands created by this wave of domestic investment.

As drugmakers expand their U.S. presence, Euro-American offers:

  • Secure, validated storage for finished goods and raw materials.
  • Customs brokerage and compliance expertise to streamline global trade.
  • End-to-end freight forwarding solutions, from air and ocean to final-mile delivery.
  • Flexible distribution models designed for pharmaceutical and biotech cargo.

If your organization is preparing for expanded U.S. pharmaceutical production or supply chain adjustments, now is the time to align with a trusted logistics partner. Contact Euro-American Worldwide Logistics today to evaluate your storage, compliance, and distribution needs and ensure your supply chain is ready for the next decade of growth.