Trump says US to keep zero tariffs on imported generic drugs until August 2028
Trump said imported generic drugs would face a 100% tariff starting in August 2028 unless manufacturers shift production to the U.S., as his administration presses ahead with a broader tariff strategy.
President Trump said imported generic drugs will remain free of U.S. tariffs until August 2028, after which they would face a 100% levy unless manufacturers move production to the United States. The warning came as the administration signaled it would keep using tariffs aggressively even after legal setbacks, with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer telling the Senate Finance Committee that while the authorities being used have changed, the trade strategy has not. Trump has recently escalated tariff actions against Canada and Brazil, while the administration's 10% global tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 are set to expire on Friday, pushing officials toward other trade authorities including Section 301. The administration has not yet released an official policy to implement the generic-drug tariffs, leaving key details unresolved.
- generic drugs: Lower-cost medicines sold after exclusivity on branded products ends, usually by multiple manufacturers.
- tariff: A tax on imported goods that can raise costs for importers and, potentially, consumers.
- Section 301: A U.S. trade law provision that allows tariffs or other measures against countries found to use unfair trade practices.