Trump Touts Novartis' Plans for 11 New US Plants

Swiss drugmaker says it's expanding manufacturing and research facilities in the US.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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President Donald Trump claimed that during a meeting with Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan, the Swiss drugmaker said it plans to build 11 new plants in the US as a result of the president's tariff policies. Novartis confirmed plans to expand its US manufacturing and research footprint, but did not provide specifics on the number of new facilities.

Why it matters

Novartis' investment in new US production facilities aligns with the Trump administration's 'America First' economic agenda, which has emphasized domestic manufacturing and reduced reliance on foreign imports. However, the discrepancy between Trump's claim and Novartis' statement raises questions about the accuracy of the president's remarks.

The details

In a speech to workers at a steel plant in Rome, Georgia, Trump said Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan told him the company was building 11 new US plants. Novartis confirmed plans to expand its US operations, including recent groundbreakings for facilities in North Carolina and California, as well as a new radioligand therapy manufacturing site in Florida. However, the company did not provide specifics on the total number of new plants it intends to build.

  • On February 19, 2026, President Trump met with Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan at the White House.
  • On February 20, 2026, Trump announced Novartis' plans for 11 new US plants during a speech in Rome, Georgia.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who met with the Novartis CEO and later touted the company's US expansion plans.

Vas Narasimhan

The Chief Executive Officer of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, who met with President Trump at the White House.

Novartis

A Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company that is expanding its manufacturing and research footprint in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We appreciate the opportunity to update the U.S. government on our progress, including recent groundbreakings for manufacturing and research facilities in North Carolina and California and plans to expand our radioligand therapy manufacturing network with a new site in Florida.”

— Novartis spokesperson (Reuters)

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether Novartis will confirm the specific number of new US plants it plans to build, and whether the company's expansion aligns with the timeline and scale described by President Trump.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration's rhetoric around domestic manufacturing and the actual plans and commitments of major corporations operating in the US. Fact-checking and transparency around such claims will be crucial for evaluating the real-world impact of the administration's economic policies.