Russia sends ominous response to 'ultimatum' from Trump: 'A threat'
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Trump doubles down on Most Favored Nation plan to target drug prices
US President Donald Trump has called on pharmaceutical manufacturers to lower US drug prices in line with the Most Favored Nation (MFN) policy first proposed in an executive order in May. On 31 July, the White House said letters were sent to leading pharmaceutical manufacturers like AstraZeneca, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Regeneron, Novartis, Pfizer, and more, calling on them to take steps to lower drug prices in the US such that they match the lowest prices in other developed countries within the next 60 days. President Trump also shared many of these letters on the social media platform Truth Social. While this is not the first time the administration has floated the MFN policy, this time, the language used to address pharma companies is more aggressive. If the companies do not comply, the order states, the federal government 'will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect American families from continued abusive drug pricing practices.' In response to this statement, a spokesperson for the industry body BIO said, 'We share the Administration's goal of ending foreign freeloading on American innovation. But importing socialist price controls would lead only to fewer new medicines and the rationing of healthcare for Americans and would strengthen and embolden foreign adversaries whose goal is to dominate the world in biotechnology.' The BIO spokesperson said eliminating the middlemen, ending the abuse of drug reimbursement programs like 340B would be a way to simplify the system, protect patients and narrow the pricing gap between the US and other developed countries. 'Middlemen' or pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are often blamed by the pharmaceutical companies for high drug prices. PBMs on their part have said they negotiate with different stakeholders to drive down costs, and pass on savings obtained through rebates and discounts to health plans. The letter to the manufacturers implores them to provide drug at 'MFN rates' to all Medicaid patients, and commit to providing these prices for newly launched drugs to all major US buyers like Medicare and commercial plans. The latest announcement also calls on drug manufacturers to opt in for platforms where drugs can be sold directly to patients at prices that are comparable to those in developed nations, which are currently offered to third party payers. Among the letters posted on Truth Social, Trump directly called on several CEOs like Albert Bourla of Pfizer, and Leonard Schleifer of Regeneron, by using their first names instead of a formal address. Several countries use international reference pricing as a strategy in their health systems. However, chief among the criticism following the May executive order has been the lack of details. Industry experts have highlighted a lack of clarity on how any potential list price changes will affect the prices patients pay at the pharmacy counter given the complex dynamics and multiple stakeholders in the US healthcare system. There is also a concern that if the US implements reference pricing, it could influence when companies choose to launch drugs in certain ex-US markets to avoid those potentially lower prices from being used as references. Furthermore, pharma companies have chosen the litigation route to fight legislative changes targeting drug prices, like the Inflation Reduction Act, and the same could be seen with the MFN executive order, as per a Bank of America report. "Trump doubles down on Most Favored Nation plan to target drug prices" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. 登入存取你的投資組合
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South Korea July exports beat forecast on strong chip demand
SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's exports rose for the second straight month in July, beating market expectations on strong chip demand, trade data showed on Friday. Exports from Asia's fourth-largest economy, an early bellwether for global trade, rose 5.9% from the same month last year to $60.82 billion, stronger than the 4.3% increase in June and a 4.6% forecast for July in a Reuters poll of economists. In July, there were signs of front-loading ahead of an August 1 deadline for higher U.S. tariffs, economists said. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on U.S. imports from dozens of countries and foreign locations. With South Korea, Trump signed a trade deal on Wednesday lowering tariffs to 15% from a threatened 25%, which officials, companies and economists cheered for reducing uncertainty over the trade environment. Exports of semiconductors jumped 39.3% in July, the biggest annual increase since October 2024, while cars rose 8.8% on robust demand in non-U.S. markets. Ship exports surged 107.6%. By destination, shipments to the U.S. rose 1.4%, as growing technology demand offset the impact of Trump's tariffs on steel and auto parts. Exports to China fell 3.0%, while those to the European Union rose 8.7%. Imports rose 0.7% in July to $54.21 billion, compared with a gain of 4.3% in June and 2.0% expected by economists. The monthly trade balance stood at a surplus of $6.61 billion, narrower than the previous month's $9.08 billion, which was the biggest since September 2018. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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Destination: Africa - Is it legal for US to deport foreign criminals to the continent?
The US administration has turned to the African continent as another destination to deport migrants who it says are convicted criminals. While dozens have been flown to countries in Central and South America, 12 men from countries including Mexico, Myanmar and Yemen were last month sent to Eswatini and South Sudan. One South Sudanese was also flown back home. Other African countries are also reportedly being courted by the US to accept people, whose home countries will not take them back, according to the US authorities. President Donald Trump's mass deportation pledge drew support during his campaign last year. But UN rights experts and human rights groups are alarmed by what has happened and argue that these removals to a nation that is not the migrant's place of origin – known as third countries - could violate international law. Is third-country deportation legal in international law? Third-country deportations can be legal - but only under certain conditions. "The whole concept of third-country removal has to be seen in light of the broader concept of asylum," says Prof Ray Brescia, from the Albany Law School in the US. "There is a principle in international law - non-refoulement - which means you are not supposed to return someone to their home country if it's unsafe for them, so a third country could provide a safe option," he says. This principle not only applies to the migrant's home country but also to any third country they might be sent to. If that country is unsafe, deportation may violate international law - as when the UK's Supreme Court blocked the British government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda in 2023. Due process is also essential. Nigeria has 'enough problems' and can't take deportees from US, minister says 'We can't do without these people': Trump's migrant crackdown has businesses worried Migrants must have the chance to challenge deportation if the destination is dangerous, based on evidence from credible sources like UN reports or US State Department findings. Courts are expected to assess this risk carefully. "The courts should examine what kind of legal status migrants will have, if they'll be detained, and what kind of housing is provided," says Dr Alice Edwards, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. But many migrants struggle to access legal support in time. "It takes significant effort and access to a lawyer who can act quickly," says Prof Brescia. "That legal route may not be available to everyone." Do the Eswatini and South Sudan deportations violate international law? "They certainly do in two respects," says Prof David Super, from Georgetown University Law Center. "There's no evidence the US is giving people a chance to challenge their deportation, and they're not permitted to send people to countries where they might face oppression. "South Sudan and Eswatini have serious questions about their human rights records," he tells the BBC. When the migrants were first bound for South Sudan in May, a legal challenge was filed in a US district court after the flight had already taken off. The judge ruled that the attempts to deport the men had violated his order that migrants must be allowed to challenge their removal to third countries. The plane was rerouted to Djibouti, on the East African coast, where the men were reportedly held in a shipping container on a US military base while the case was heard. The case was referred to the Supreme Court which allowed the deportations to proceed but did not specify whether South Sudan was deemed a safe place for the migrants. "What we've seen in similar cases is that people are often denied legal help when they need it, and proceedings begin far too late," says Dr Edwards. "In this case, they were already en route to a US military base and that's deeply problematic." She adds that the courts must remain apolitical, especially when basic rights are at stake. Lesotho declares state of disaster amid US tariff uncertainty US cuts visa validity for most Nigerian applicants Trump's tariffs could be death knell for US-Africa trade pact Prof Brescia warns that the Supreme Court's decision could set a dangerous precedent. "There's real concern it will encourage the administration to move even faster, before individuals can access the courts at all," he says. Are Eswatini and South Sudan safe? In addition to being denied due process, migrants are being sent to potentially unsafe countries - violating international law. The US State Department currently advises against all travel to South Sudan, citing threats including crime, armed conflict and kidnapping. Earlier this year, the country, one of the poorest in the world, was said to be on the brink of a return to civil war. "There are very real concerns about law and order in South Sudan - about violence, instability, and ongoing conflict," says Dr Edwards. Those deported to South Sudan are reportedly being held in a detention facility in the capital, Juba, known for poor conditions, according to political activist, Agel Rich Machar. The government has not confirmed their location or how long they will spend in detention. In Eswatini, a small landlocked kingdom in southern Africa, officials say the migrants are in a correctional facility and will be repatriated with support from the International Organization of Migration (IOM). The US State Department has said Eswatini's prisons face problems of overcrowding, poor ventilation, and deficiencies in dietary nutrition and health services. "We don't foresee they will stay long enough to be integrated into society," Eswatini government spokesperson Thabile Mdluli told the BBC, without giving any indication of how long they would stay in the country, or whether they would serve the rest of their sentences first. The US government says those who have been deported to Eswatini committed "barbaric" crimes including child rape, murder and sexual assault. A backlash is growing in Eswatini. The country's largest opposition party, the People's United Democratic Movement (Pudemo) says that the agreement between the two countries was "human trafficking disguised as a deportation deal". Pro-democracy activist Lucky Lukhele says the country must not become "a dumping ground for criminals". Even if international law has been violated, Prof Super says the US is unlikely to face consequences as it does not recognise many international courts. "This appears to be about deterrence, sending a message that if you come to the US you'll be treated very, very harshly," he says. Regardless of legality, third-country deportations often place vulnerable individuals in unfamiliar environments with little support or legal status, says Dr Edwards. "It's a deeply flawed idea." She stresses that the human rights community is not trying to block each and every deportation - only where people face human rights violations. What's in it for the host countries? The details of the deportation deals remain largely secret. Ms Mdluli tells the BBC that Eswatini's reasons for accepting the deportees "remains classified information for now". However, both the Eswatini and South Sudan governments cited their strong ties with the US as a key motivation. Prof Brescia suggests some countries may fear US retaliation if they refuse, such as stricter visa rules or higher tariffs. In April, the US said it would revoke all visas issued to South Sudanese nationals after it would not accept a deported citizen. It is not clear if that has changed, now that it has accepted deportees from the US. Political activist Machar says South Sudan has also agreed to this deal as it wants the US to lift sanctions on Vice-President Benjamin Bol Mel. The US government issued sanctions against Bol Mel in 2021 due to alleged corruption and renewed them this year. However, other countries, like Nigeria, are pushing back. "We have enough problems of our own," Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said in July, rejecting a request to take in Venezuelan detainees. Dr Edwards notes that such deals often come with incentives. "In past arrangements of third-country deportations, large sums of money, as well as military and security cooperation, were part of the package," she says. In March, reports said the Trump administration would pay El Salvador $6m (£4.5m) to accept Venezuelan deportees. You may also be interested in: US cuts visa validity for applicants from four African countries Six things Trump should know about Liberia after he praised leader's 'good English' Why Trump invited five African leaders to the White House Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Focus on Africa This Is Africa
