Swiss president to hold talks in Ireland amid US focus on pharma industry
Switzerland’s President Karin Keller-Sutter will travel to Ireland for high-level talks this week, her government said on Monday, the first visit by a Swiss president to the country since 2012.
Both countries are trying to navigate U.S. policy challenges for their major pharmaceutical industries, after President Donald Trump this month issued an executive order directing drugmakers to quickly lower drug prices.
His administration has said it will take further action if companies do not make significant progress toward the goals.
Asked whether the pharmaceutical industry would be under discussion during her visit, the Swiss finance ministry said it would inform the public after the Irish talks.
Keller-Sutter, who is also the Swiss finance minister, will attend the opening of an exhibition on relations between Ireland and Switzerland’s St. Gallen in the early Middle Ages at the National Museum of Ireland on Thursday.
St. Gallen is Keller-Sutter’s home canton and the name of its capital city.
Keller-Sutter will also discuss bilateral issues, European policy matters, and international current affairs with Irish President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and other members of Ireland’s government, the ministry said.
