US President Donald Trump has announced another round of import tariffs. From October 1, branded and patented medicines shipped into the United States will face a 100 percent duty if companies do not operate factories inside the country.
Washington will also introduce a 25 percent tariff on heavy-duty trucks. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets will be subject to a 50 percent levy. Trump presented the measures on Thursday, calling them vital to protect American industry.
He argued on Truth Social that a “flood” of imports made the move unavoidable. He insisted the tariffs would safeguard US manufacturers.
The announcement comes despite repeated warnings from American businesses urging the White House not to escalate tariff policies.
Pharmaceuticals at the center of debate
Neil Shearing, chief economist at Capital Economics, said the policy looked more dramatic than it really was. Generic drugs are exempt, and so are companies building production plants in the US.
He added that most leading global pharmaceutical firms either already manufacture in America or have committed to doing so soon.
Ireland’s Trade Minister Simon Harris pointed to the August 21 deal between Washington and Brussels. He said the agreement capped any new tariffs on European pharmaceutical exports at 15 percent.
The United Nations reported that Britain exported more than six billion dollars’ worth of medicines to the US last year.
A trade agreement signed in June between the two countries promised “preferential treatment outcomes on pharmaceuticals.”
A UK government spokesperson called Trump’s announcement concerning. The official said Britain would remain engaged with Washington in the coming days.
UK firms strengthen US foothold
GlaxoSmithKline already operates factories in the United States. The company pledged last week to invest 30 billion dollars in research and manufacturing over the next five years.
AstraZeneca also has American facilities. In July, it announced plans to invest 50 billion dollars in the country by 2030.
William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, noted that UK pharmaceutical companies had already made substantial commitments in the US. These investments, he argued, should shield them from new tariffs.
Several companies recently withdrew investment plans from Britain, citing difficult conditions for the industry.
Jane Sydenham, investment director at Rathbones, said Trump’s tariff agenda played a key role in that shift. She argued that uncertainty over US policy shaped investment choices more than Britain’s low growth outlook.
Duties extended to trucks and furniture
Trump said the new duties on heavy trucks would protect American producers from unfair competition. The move, he said, would benefit firms such as Peterbilt and Mack Trucks.
He also confirmed tariffs on kitchen and bathroom cabinets and other furniture. He blamed high import levels for damaging domestic manufacturers.
Beginning next week, Washington will apply a 30 percent tariff on upholstered furniture.
Swedish retailer Ikea said the new measures make business operations more difficult. The company added that it is closely watching the situation.
Tariffs remain central to Trump’s strategy
Tariffs have become a defining element of Trump’s second term. Sweeping duties on more than 90 countries took effect in August, aimed at boosting jobs and domestic production.
Earlier, Trump imposed targeted tariffs on steel, copper, aluminium, cars and car parts.
This year, the US Chamber of Commerce urged the White House to avoid further tariffs. The group pointed out that most truck parts come from Mexico, Canada, Germany, Finland and Japan.
Mexico and Canada together supplied over half of all medium and heavy truck parts imported into the US last year. The chamber warned that sourcing them domestically would be unrealistic and would raise costs.
Experts warn of consumer impact
Trade expert Deborah Elms of the Hinrich Foundation said the new tariffs clearly favoured American producers but were “terrible” for consumers. She warned that prices would rise.
She explained that the measures cover more products and higher rates than Trump’s earlier reciprocal tariffs, which targeted trade imbalances.
Elms said the industry-specific levies could serve as a fallback plan. They could secure revenue if broader global duties are overturned in court.
