WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a significant move signalling a deepening commitment to his “America First” trade agenda, US President Donald Trump announced a series of new, steep tariffs on various imported goods on Thursday. The highest levy, a massive 100 per cent tariff, will be imposed on branded or patented pharmaceutical products.
The President unveiled the new import taxes in a series of posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, affirming his core campaign motive: “America First! Make America Great Again!” He cited the need to protect national security and the financial health of American industries as the main drivers for the tariffs.
100% Tariff on Branded Pharmaceuticals, With a Domestic Manufacturing Exemption
The most drastic measure announced is the 100 per cent tariff on “any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product,” which is set to take effect from October 1.
Crucially, this penalty comes with a major exemption designed to compel companies to onshore production: the tariff will not be applicable if a company is actively “BUILDING” its pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in America. President Trump defined “IS BUILDING” as having already commenced physical construction, meaning “breaking ground” and/or being “under construction.”
This move is expected to have a significant impact on global pharmaceutical supply chains. While India is the world’s largest producer of generic drugs, the new levy targets branded and patented products, which could still affect the $11 billion in pharma products that India exports to the US annually.
25% Tariff to Shield US Truck Manufacturers
The President also announced a 25 per cent tariff on all “heavy (big!) trucks” made in other parts of the world, also effective from October 1.
Trump explicitly stated the goal of this levy is to shield America’s “Great Heavy Truck Manufacturers from unfair outside competition.” He named prominent domestic companies that will benefit, writing, “Therefore, our Great Large Truck Company Manufacturers, such as Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Mack Trucks, and others, will be protected from the onslaught of outside interruptions.”
The President linked the protection of the trucking industry directly to national security, adding: “We need our Truckers to be financially healthy and strong, for many reasons, but above all else, for National Security purposes!“
Full List of Tariffs and Justifications
In addition to pharmaceuticals and heavy trucks, the President announced tariffs on various household and construction products, citing the “large scale ‘FLOODING'” of the US market by foreign countries as an “unfair practice.”
The full list of new tariffs announced is as follows:
| Imported Product | New Tariff Rate | Effective Date | Stated Justification |
| Branded/Patented Pharmaceutical Products | 100% | October 1 | Incentivise US manufacturing and protect National Security. Exemption applies if a US plant is being built. |
| Kitchen Cabinets, Bathroom Vanities, and related products | 50% | October 1 | Protect US Manufacturing process from ‘FLOODING’ and for National Security. |
| Upholstered Furniture | 30% | October 1 | Protect US Manufacturing process from ‘FLOODING’ and for National Security. |
| Heavy (Big!) Trucks | 25% | October 1 | Protect US Manufacturers from “unfair outside competition” and for National Security. |
Export to Sheets
The series of tariffs underscores President Trump’s aggressive use of trade policy to restructure global supply chains and prioritize domestic production across several key sectors of the US economy.