US President Donald Trump has announced steep tariffs of up to 100% on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports starting October 1, 2025. The tariffs will not apply to companies that are already building manufacturing plants in the United States, which Trump says will boost domestic production and cut the budget deficit.
India’s pharmaceutical sector, one of the most dependent on trade with the US, could be significantly impacted by the decision. The move is expected to raise costs and disrupt exports for Indian drugmakers who supply a large share of generic and branded medicines to America.
In addition to pharmaceuticals, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, 30% on upholstered furniture, and 25% on heavy trucks. He justified the measures as necessary for “national security and other reasons,” continuing his push to use tariffs as a tool for economic leverage.
