Is this what happens when you double-cross the USA?

[rov1100]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12335801

Almost without obvious reason one of the top US companies based in Britain decides to pull the plug and 2400 people are put out of work.

Surely it cannot be for revenge for getting the Lockerbie bomber released?

We know many countries are in hoc to the US which is why Egypt is in turmoil at the moment!

[beso]

Big business doesn't give a sh!t about issues like Lockerbie , their government's political mores or anything except money.

It simply made commercial sense to shut down the operations in Britain.

[rov1100]

Well you have your own views Beso. I can't help thinking how Tony Blair got a financial leg up for giving his full support.

[jake-the-peg]

Last I heard Pfizer was not run by the US government.

This was being discussed on Radio 4 this morning.

Seems it's mostly to do with their world wide strategy for cost savings.

Crucially a number of their key drugs are shortly due to come out of patent protection. Viagra in March next year for example.

their stock is 50% down on what it was in 2006 - they are cost cutting pure and simple.

Countries in hock to the US - are you kidding us?

Do you know how much the US is in hock to China?about $750 billion!

[rov1100]

Maybe Pfizer is not the last. I see BP is selling up 2 plants in the US and is heading for Russia.


I did not hear the radio broadcast this morning so I cannot comment on it.

[R1Geezer]

This is a commercial decision, business couldn't give a rats ar5e about politics unless it directly effects their business. The US is the king of business pragmatism.

[WELSHYORKIE]

And slave labour, vibes

[jake-the-peg]

I suspect it's more to do with the somewhat - ahem- liberal? - interpretation those countries have of patent laws.