US President Donald Trump on Thursday (April 2) imposed new tariffs on certain medicines and overhauled metal duties, reinforcing his trade agenda a year after launching trade wars with nearly all partners. The orders pressure pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more in the US, while targeting firms accused of "artificially manipulating" metals prices. Finished products with significant steel, aluminum, or copper will face a simplified 25% tariff on full value instead of a metal-content calculation.&nbsp;&nbsp;A senior official said they did not expect these measures to affect affordability. The moves coincide with the anniversary of Trump’s “Liberation Day,” when he first announced broad tariffs that disrupted markets and supply chains. One order imposes a 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals made abroad unless trade deals are struck or companies commit to building US plants. Large firms have 120 days, smaller ones 180 days, to submit reshoring plans.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-shake-up-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-asks-army-chief-gen-randy-george-to-immediately-retire-reports-1775161003663">Pentagon shake-up: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asks Army Chief Gen. Randy George to 'immediately' retire</a>&nbsp;"We expect the lion's share of the world's patented pharmaceuticals to be built in America," said a senior official. Companies building US plants will face a 20% tariff. The EU, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland face 15% due to prior trade deals. The UK secured tariff-free access for three years. Exemptions exist for firms reaching "Most Favored Nation" pricing deals. Generic drugs remain untaxed.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-defence-exports-surge-62-to-4-1-billion-1775148284425/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-defence-exports-surge-62-to-4-1-billion-1775148284425/embed</a>&nbsp;The second order reshapes 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, targeting foreign price manipulation and simplifying tariffs on products with over 15% metal content. "It's a simplification and a fairness issue," the official said.Asked about household costs, the official said, "These will not have an impact on the price of the good on the shelf." It is set to take effect from 12:01 am Eastern Time on Monday, a White House official told new agency AFP.

Trump doubles down on trade agenda with new pharma and steel tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (April 2) imposed new tariffs on certain medicines and overhauled metal duties, reinforcing his trade agenda a year after launching trade wars with nearly all partners. The orders pressure pharmaceutical companies to manufacture more in the US, while targeting firms accused of "artificially manipulating" metals prices. Finished products with significant steel, aluminum, or copper will face a simplified 25% tariff on full value instead of a metal-content calculation. A senior official said they did not expect these measures to affect affordability. The moves coincide with the anniversary of Trump’s “Liberation Day,” when he first announced broad tariffs that disrupted markets and supply chains. One order imposes a 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals made abroad unless trade deals are struck or companies commit to building US plants. Large firms have 120 days, smaller ones 180 days, to submit reshoring plans. Also Read: Pentagon shake-up: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asks Army Chief Gen. Randy George to 'immediately' retire "We expect the lion's share of the world's patented pharmaceuticals to be built in America," said a senior official. Companies building US plants will face a 20% tariff. The EU, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland face 15% due to prior trade deals. The UK secured tariff-free access for three years. Exemptions exist for firms reaching "Most Favored Nation" pricing deals. Generic drugs remain untaxed. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-defence-exports-surge-62-to-4-1-billion-1775148284425/embed The second order reshapes 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, targeting foreign price manipulation and simplifying tariffs on products with over 15% metal content. "It's a simplification and a fairness issue," the official said. Asked about household costs, the official said, "These will not have an impact on the price of the good on the shelf." It is set to take effect from 12:01 am Eastern Time on Monday, a White House official told new agency AFP.

Trump orders 100% pharma tariffs and revamps metal duties, aiming to boost US manufacturing. Officials say, ‘These will not have an impact on the price of the good on the shelf’

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced sweeping new tariffs, including a 100 per cent duty on branded or patented pharmaceutical imports starting 1 October. The move is designed to push companies to manufacture inside the United States.“Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America. ‘IS BUILDING’ will be defined as, ‘breaking ground’ and/or ’under construction,’” Trump wrote.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-worst-human-being-in-us-james-comey-indicted-what-trump-s-move-means-for-the-former-fbi-chief-and-why-he-drew-the-president-s-ire-1758866375149">‘Worst human being in US’: James Comey indicted: What Trump’s move means for the former FBI chief and why he drew the president’s ire</a>The measures go beyond medicines. Trump also said 50 per cent import taxes will apply to kitchen cabinets, 30 per cent on upholstered furniture, and 25 per cent on heavy trucks.<h2>Why are trucks included?</h2>In another post, Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on all heavy trucks imported from abroad, arguing it was needed to protect American firms such as Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner and Mack Trucks. He said the decision was taken “for many reasons, but above all else, for National Security purposes!” Earlier this year, his administration launched a probe into imported trucks to assess their impact on national security.<h2>Why does this matter for India?</h2>The United States is India’s largest market for medicines, particularly affordable generics. In 2024, India exported $3.6 billion (₹31,626 crore) worth of pharmaceutical products to the US, followed by $3.7 billion (₹32,505 crore) in just the first half of 2025. Indian companies such as Dr Reddy’s, Sun Pharma, Lupin and Aurobindo have long benefited from America’s dependence on lower-cost generics.While Trump’s announcement is targeted at branded and patented drugs, mainly dominated by multinational giants, uncertainty remains over whether complex generics and speciality drugs from India might also be affected.<h2>Indian exports are already under strain</h2>Indian exports to the US are already facing 50 per cent tariffs, which Trump has said also carry a 25 per cent “penalty” because of India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

The United States is India’s largest market for medicines, particularly affordable generics. In 2024, India exported $3.6 billion (₹31,626 crore) worth of pharmaceutical products to the US, followed by $3.7 billion (₹32,505 crore) in just the first half of 2025.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced sweeping new tariffs, including a 100 per cent duty on branded or patented pharmaceutical imports starting 1 October. The move is designed to push companies to manufacture inside the United States. “Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America. ‘IS BUILDING’ will be defined as, ‘breaking ground’ and/or ’under construction,’” Trump wrote. Also read: ‘Worst human being in US’: James Comey indicted: What Trump’s move means for the former FBI chief and why he drew the president’s ire The measures go beyond medicines. Trump also said 50 per cent import taxes will apply to kitchen cabinets, 30 per cent on upholstered furniture, and 25 per cent on heavy trucks. Why are trucks included? In another post, Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on all heavy trucks imported from abroad, arguing it was needed to protect American firms such as Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner and Mack Trucks. He said the decision was taken “for many reasons, but above all else, for National Security purposes!” Earlier this year, his administration launched a probe into imported trucks to assess their impact on national security. Why does this matter for India? The United States is India’s largest market for medicines, particularly affordable generics. In 2024, India exported $3.6 billion (₹31,626 crore) worth of pharmaceutical products to the US, followed by $3.7 billion (₹32,505 crore) in just the first half of 2025. Indian companies such as Dr Reddy’s, Sun Pharma, Lupin and Aurobindo have long benefited from America’s dependence on lower-cost generics. While Trump’s announcement is targeted at branded and patented drugs, mainly dominated by multinational giants, uncertainty remains over whether complex generics and speciality drugs from India might also be affected. Indian exports are already under strain Indian exports to the US are already facing 50 per cent tariffs, which Trump has said also carry a 25 per cent “penalty” because of India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.

The United States is India’s largest market for medicines, particularly affordable generics. In 2024, India exported $3.6 billion (₹31,626 crore) worth of pharmaceutical products to the US, followed by $3.7 billion (₹32,505 crore) in just the first half of 2025.

Bitter Pill for Indian drugmakers: Trump’s 100% drug tariff could give India a headache worth BILLIONS. Here's how

trump-pharma-tariffs

Trump Pharma Tariffs, News on Trump Pharma Tariffs, stories on Trump Pharma Tariffs, articles on Trump Pharma Tariffs, Trump Pharma Tariffs stories at Wion, Trump Pharma Tariffs news, Trump Pharma Tariffs latest news

trump pharma-tariffs

Trump doubles down on trade agenda with new pharma and steel tariffs

Trump’s 100% drug tariff could give Indian drugmakers a headache worth BILLIONS