CNN in Mayo to examine impact of Trump tariffs
Westport's economy is hugely dependent on AbbVie, which employs over 1,000 people at its facility in the town. Picture: Alison Laredo
US broadcaster CNN has visited Westport to investigate the potential impact of Donald Trump’s tariffs on the Mayo town.
The US President recently announced 15% tariffs on all pharmaceutical exports from the European Union, although larger tariffs may be imposed at a later date.
Westport is home to AbbVie, with the world’s supply of Botox supplied by the Mayo facility.
The Chicago operated company employs more than 1,000 people at it’s 61-acre Westport site and an additional 500 contractors. The company is a significant supporter of community projects and provides indirect employment and prosperity for the local economy.
The US tops the list, accounting for 70% of total turnover at the Westport plant, which also makes eyecare products, according to the company’s 2023 filings.
Nobody employed by the company was prepared to speak on the record to CNN during their visit to Mayo. However, the broadcaster spoke to locals about the tariff threat that could loom for the tourist town.
“They are worried about their jobs, they just don’t know how it’s going to go. Is it going to affect them? Are they going to have a job this time next year? Is the company going to be able to keep going?” one childcare provider told the broadcaster. “If they don’t have a job, I won’t have a job,” she added.
AbbVie has not indicated any plans to shift Botox production elsewhere.
Addressing the tariffs in a recent public earnings call, AbbVie president Robert A. Michael said that the company was “having constructive discussions with the administration on sectoral tariffs,” and noted that it will “obviously continue to invest in the US". Last week, the company announced a $195 million investment in its Chicago manufacturing plant in what it said was part of a broader commitment to invest more than $10 billion in US projects over the next decade.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said President Donald Trump should keep in mind that US pharmaceutical firms based in Ireland will be "damaged and undermined" if he goes through with his latest sectoral tariffs threats.
Mr Trump said the 15% baseline agreed in the EU-US tariff deal last month would only apply to the pharmaceutical sector for "one year, one-and-a-half years maximum" before it increased significantly.
"Ireland has added value and strength to those companies, and I would say to the [US] President he needs to factor that into the equation," the Taoiseach said.
