Former congresswoman advises on Abraham Accords pharmaceutical plan

Cathy McMorris Rodgers is continuing her work on Middle East affairs after leaving Capitol Hill. 

The former congresswoman recently spoke with Fox News Digital about her decision to join the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) as a senior fellow to help cultivate the group’s leadership in the pharmaceutical space.

“I’m really excited to be helping advise the U.S. Israel Education Association, both as a former member of Congress, but also someone who is very supportive and believes that the U.S.-Israel relationship must be a priority,” Rodgers told Fox News Digital. “I’m advising them specifically on an initiative around friendshoring pharmaceutical supply chains into the Abraham Accord region.”

As co-founder of the Abraham Accords Caucus, Rodgers is familiar with the complex relationships the first Trump administration was able to form in the Middle East, bringing Israel and Arab nations closer together.

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“I understand how vulnerable we have become because our pharmaceutical supply chain, so many of them are controlled by China. So, this initiative aligns with some of the priorities that I had while I was serving in Congress,” Rodgers added.

The Trump administration has made bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. a top priority. However, when domestic production is not possible, friendshoring could be the solution, relying on close relationships to get critical supplies. 

When it comes to pharmaceuticals, China dominates the current market, particularly when it comes to the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and generic drugs, Rodgers said. In July, the Brookings Institution released a report in which it estimated that Chinese APIs were included in approximately one-quarter of drug volume sold in the U.S.

Donald Trump says 600,000 Chinese students could be allowed into the U.S. to study at its colleges pending a potential trade agreement with China. (Fox News)

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“We see because of President Trump’s tariffs against China, many pharmaceutical companies are onshoring. So, they’re bringing back manufacturing to America,”…