Scientists have long debated the merits and risks of tinkering with viruses and bacteria, which the president claims caused the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that aims to reduce the time it takes to approve pharmaceutical plants in the country, as part of new regulations to encourage domestic manufacturing.

The executive order adds on to Trump’s planned tariffs on pharmaceuticals in his overall strategy to onshore production of medicines. At the White House event, Trump told reporters that he will announce pharmaceutical-specific tariffs in the next two weeks.