Trump imposes 100% tariff on certain pharmaceuticals imports

US President Donald Trump on Thursday imposed a 100 percent ad valorem tariff on imports of certain patented pharmaceuticals and associated pharmaceutical ingredients.

In an executive order signed Thursday, Trump said such imports are “in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.”

The tariffs imposed will be effective on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on July 31, 2026.

The tariffs will be 20 percent for products of companies that have, or are likely soon to have, onshoring plans approved by the US secretary of commerce, but will increase to 100 percent on April 2, 2030, the order said.

Japan, the European Union, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which have struck trade deals with the US, will face a 15 percent tariff, while Britain will face a 10 percent tariff, according to the order.

Generic pharmaceutical products, biosimilars and related ingredients have been exempted from tariffs at this time, including nuclear medicines, plasma-derived therapies, fertility treatments, and cell and gene therapies, the order said.