Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Zorro

(18,695 posts)
Thu Apr 2, 2026, 03:37 PM 19 hrs ago

Drugmakers face 100% tariff unless they cut prices or produce drugs in US

Source: Reuters via Yahoo Finance

The Trump administration said on Thursday it will impose 100% tariffs on branded pharmaceuticals imported into the United ‌States unless manufacturers agree to government drug pricing deals or commit to ‌making their products domestically.

The move is intended to push drugmakers to onshore production and cut U.S. ​prescription drug prices. It offers exemptions and reduced rates through trade agreements, manufacturing commitments and most‑favored‑nation pricing pacts.

Here are some details:

* The United States will impose a 100% tariff on patented drugs not made in the country and not covered by drug pricing agreements. * Large ‌pharmaceutical companies have 120 days ⁠to announce plans to avoid the 100% tariff; smaller companies have 180 days. * Companies can move manufacturing to the U.S. in exchange for a reduced 20% ⁠tariff. * Drugmakers that onshore and sign most‑favored‑nation pricing agreements with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are exempt from tariffs. * The U.S. has already agreed to such deals with ​17 drugmakers, of ​which 13 have been finalized and four ​are being negotiated. * Tariffs are reduced to ‌15% for drugs produced in the European Union, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland due to existing trade agreements. The U.K. has a separate tariff deal. * U.S. patients by far pay the most for prescription medicines, often nearly three times more than in other developed nations. * Trump has been pressuring drugmakers to lower their prices to what people pay in high-income ‌countries under his most-favored-nation drug pricing policy. * Major drugmakers ​that have signed deals, which exempt them from tariffs ​for three years, include Pfizer and ​Eli Lilly among others. * Many companies, including about half of those represented by ‌industry lobby group PhRMA, have not ​yet signed deals. * Industry ​sources say small and mid‑sized drugmakers are seeking individual arrangements to avoid tariffs and new pricing rules. * The Trump administration has previously said generic drugs will be exempt ​from tariffs. * More than ‌90% of medicines sold in the U.S. are generics, according to the U.S. ​Food and Drug Administration.

Read more: https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/drugmakers-face-100-tariff-unless-193035454.html

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Drugmakers face 100% tariff unless they cut prices or produce drugs in US (Original Post) Zorro 19 hrs ago OP
Time for these companies to "donate" to Donald's ballroom to get their exemption progressoid 19 hrs ago #1
we can all agree Trump never does anything that benefits WE THE PEOPLE Skittles 8 hrs ago #10
They dont care. SergeStorms 18 hrs ago #2
Expect supply disruptions for some pharmaceuticals. WestMichRad 18 hrs ago #3
More money to buy weapons to replace what was used in Iran. Paid for by the sick. Just in time for Easter! ChicagoTeamster 18 hrs ago #4
What good does that do if you can't afford medical care... ananda 18 hrs ago #5
Didn't the Supremes determine his tariffs were illegal? Bayard 18 hrs ago #6
He evidently doesn't care iemanja 13 hrs ago #9
Evil evil evil fucker! 50 Shades Of Blue 17 hrs ago #7
I thought I saw something to the effect that one provision snot 17 hrs ago #8

progressoid

(53,195 posts)
1. Time for these companies to "donate" to Donald's ballroom to get their exemption
Thu Apr 2, 2026, 04:10 PM
19 hrs ago

Last edited Thu Apr 2, 2026, 05:39 PM - Edit history (1)

Skittles

(171,724 posts)
10. we can all agree Trump never does anything that benefits WE THE PEOPLE
Fri Apr 3, 2026, 02:58 AM
8 hrs ago

there's always something that benefits HIM

SergeStorms

(20,599 posts)
2. They dont care.
Thu Apr 2, 2026, 04:30 PM
18 hrs ago

They'll just pass the increased costs on to consumers, and probably tack on a little "bonus" for themselves as well.

Donald Trump is a stupid, STUPID, STUPID man!

WestMichRad

(3,261 posts)
3. Expect supply disruptions for some pharmaceuticals.
Thu Apr 2, 2026, 04:54 PM
18 hrs ago

Supply chains can be rather complicated. Transitioning to on-shore manufacturing won’t be rapid in many cases, and the necessary regulatory inspections won’t happen overnight, especially if FDA staffing has been cut. Or if they cut inspections, quality is likely to decline.

Sounds good on the surface, but this has the potential to be a real mess in the interim.

ChicagoTeamster

(973 posts)
4. More money to buy weapons to replace what was used in Iran. Paid for by the sick. Just in time for Easter!
Thu Apr 2, 2026, 05:02 PM
18 hrs ago

Great Christian President. So says Pastor Paula White(Supremacist).

snot

(11,805 posts)
8. I thought I saw something to the effect that one provision
Thu Apr 2, 2026, 05:43 PM
17 hrs ago

could require foreign countries to RAISE their prices, and that the UK had already agreed to do so?

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Drugmakers face 100% tari...