Trump announces tariffs on generic drugs from 2028
US President Trump wants to levy tariffs on imported generics from 2028, initially 100 and later 200 percent. He aims to move drug production to the US. The industry warns of shortages and higher prices.
After repeated threats against the pharmaceutical industry, Trump announced that he will impose tariffs on generics, meaning patent-free copycat medicines, from 2028, starting at 100 and later rising to 200 percent. The goal is to push manufacturers to produce in the US, Politico and the New York Times report. Business outlets such as Handelsblatt and the Financial Times point out that a large share of the generics consumed in the US is imported, which is why experts fear supply shortages and rising costs for patients. The two-year lead time is meant to give companies time to build plants in the US. Critics nonetheless see it as a risky tool that could make cheap standard medicines of all things more expensive. The measure fits into Trump's broader tariff policy, which recently also hit brand-name pharmaceuticals and numerous trading partners. Whether and in what form the tariffs actually take effect is open given the long lead time.