GSK CEO Ready to Navigate Trump’s Trade Turmoil: Leader Q&A (1)

In her eight-year tenure as chief executive officer of GSK Plc, Emma Walmsley has seen off a combative activist investor, navigated multi-billion dollar litigation in the US and spun out a consumer health company, Haleon Plc. Her latest challenge is preparing the drugmaker for the looming threat of getting dragged into President Donald Trump’s trade war.

The 55-year-old has worked to turn GSK — which traces its history to the 18th century — into a forward-looking pharma company by embracing new developments, including pivoting back to cancer medicines and investing in artificial intelligence. Still, with the share price stubbornly low, ...