A small coastal town in Ireland’s west coast, Westport, is home to the world’s largest Botox supply facility operated by Chicago-based pharmaceutical company AbbVie. The plant has transformed the town’s economy, employing over 1,300 locals and generating billions of dollars for the company. However, with US President Donald Trump announcing a 15% tariff on all pharmaceutical exports from the European Union, Westport’s industry is facing uncertainty.
The tariffs could devastate the town, which relies heavily on the plant for its economic backbone. Locals are worried about job security and the potential impact on their families. “They are worried about their jobs, they just don’t know how it’s going to go,” said Anne-Marie, a daycare center owner who works with employees of the plant.
While AbbVie has not signaled any plans to move its Botox production hub, experts say that full-scale reshoring is unlikely due to high costs, regulatory hurdles, supply chain challenges, and long timelines for building or relocating high-tech plants. Other major drugmakers have also announced plans to invest in the US in response to the new tariffs.
The impact of the tariffs on Ireland’s pharmaceutical industry is unclear, but it could be significant. The country’s pharma exports worth €44 billion ($51.2 billion) last year are now at risk of being affected by the US trade deal. Analysts predict that a 15% tariff could increase US drug prices by 7% to 10%, adding up to $13 billion annually to healthcare costs.
As Westport’s residents await the outcome, they remain optimistic about their town’s resilience and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. “When he goes out of power, it’s just gonna all change again – like it did the last time,” said Anne-Marie, referring to Trump’s first term in office.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/14/europe/ireland-botox-trump-trade-deal-tariffs-intl-cmd