K-Bio Ramps Up Public Affairs Efforts to Counter Trump Tariff Threat

Samsung Biologics Steps Up Washington Visits with Public Affairs Team
Celltrion Responds via U.S. Subsidiary at the Forefront

As 'Trump-style' protectionism, epitomized by the threat of 'tariff bombs,' becomes a reality, domestic pharmaceutical and biotech companies that count the United States as a major market are growing increasingly tense. Some companies are closely monitoring developments in Washington, intensively analyzing policy shifts, and mobilizing all available public affairs resources to devise effective response strategies.

According to industry sources on April 22, Samsung Biologics is focusing its efforts on U.S. public affairs through its Global Public Affairs team, which operates under Executive Vice President James Choi and the sales support division. Established in 2023 to strengthen overseas communications, this team is responsible for identifying and responding to regulations and trends related to the global bio industry set by government agencies around the world.

Recently, this organization has reportedly increased the frequency of business trips to Washington. Particular emphasis is being placed on expanding contacts with key figures from the Donald Trump camp who are influential in trade policy. It is also said to be receiving support from Samsung Group’s local public affairs network.

President Trump has designated pharmaceuticals, along with semiconductors, as strategic industries and has launched investigations into the imposition of tariffs on these items. The investigation is based on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows the president to impose tariffs if certain products are found to threaten national security. The scope of the investigation includes finished pharmaceuticals as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which are a core product for Samsung Biologics. As the Trump administration is scrutinizing finished pharmaceuticals and APIs separately, the company must respond sensitively to any policy changes.

Celltrion’s U.S. response organization has not been made public, but the company has been responding swiftly since the launch of the second Trump administration, with its U.S. subsidiary at the center of these efforts. In 2023, Celltrion appointed Thomas Nussbaumer?who previously worked at global pharmaceutical giants such as Amgen and Pfizer?as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of its U.S. subsidiary. Nussbaumer is an expert with over 30 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including public affairs, sales, and marketing. In the fourth quarter of last year, Celltrion’s U.S. subsidiary also signed a contract with the local lobbying firm Bluebird, actively responding to policy changes in the U.S. market.

Proactive investments are also being planned. Immediately after Trump’s inauguration in February this year, Celltrion announced, "We will finalize our investment decision regarding the establishment of a local API production facility in the U.S. within the first half of the year." This is a strategy to more actively respond to the Trump administration’s 'reshoring' policy. The company has also taken preemptive measures regarding tariffs. Celltrion stated, "As of the end of January, we completed the transfer of approximately nine months’ worth of inventory for products scheduled to be sold in the U.S. this year, thereby minimizing the impact of tariffs for 2025," adding, "Regardless of whether pharmaceutical tariffs are imposed, we have minimized the impact on our U.S. sales for this year."