Donald Trump will impose 100% tariffs on imported branded pharmaceuticals starting October 1, escalating his “America First” trade war and shaking global drug markets while exempting firms already building U.S. plants.
WEBDESK, MediaBites — President Donald Trump has detonated another tariff shockwave, declaring a 100% duty on all imported branded and patented pharmaceuticals starting October 1 — unless manufacturers are building plants in the United States.
“No tariff if construction has started,” Trump posted on Truth Social, throwing down the gauntlet to global pharma giants. The new move doubles down on the 25% tariffs already slapped on foreign drugs in May.
The White House claims the tariffs are intended to encourage multinationals to invest domestically. Still, critics warn that the policy could increase U.S. healthcare costs and ultimately burden taxpayers through Medicare and Medicaid. In 2024, the U.S. imported nearly $233 billion in pharmaceuticals — meaning the ripple effects could be massive.
The decision could also squeeze Australian exports, worth $1.6 billion annually, largely dominated by biotech heavyweight CSL, which quickly assured markets it would avoid major fallout due to its already significant American footprint.
But for others, the ultimatum is clear: manufacture in America or face a financial hammer blow.
And pharmaceuticals aren’t alone in Trump’s tariff storm. He announced 25% tariffs on heavy-duty trucks, 50% on kitchen cabinets, and 30% on upholstered furniture, railing against what he called a “flood” of cheap imports.
Economists, however, warn the strategy is a double-edged sword. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has already flagged rising consumer prices tied to Trump’s earlier tariff blitz, even as the president dismisses inflation concerns.
For Trump, the message is simple: protect U.S. factories at all costs. But for the global drug trade, October 1 could mark a turning point in the high-stakes battle between Big Pharma and the White House.
