Donald Trump announced plans to impose 100 % tariffs on generic drugs from August 2028, doubling to 200 % a year later. The move is part of a broader push to reshoring pharmaceutical manufacturing to the United States.

Generic drugs account for 90 % of filled prescriptions in the U.S., and the FDA estimates about 70 % are sourced abroad. Trump’s policy targets this segment, offering penalties to firms that fail to build domestic plants within the set timeframe.

Companies that have struck investment deals—such as Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Novo Nordisk—receive tariff relief, while those expanding U.S. capacity may qualify for a four‑year 20 % duty reduction. The Treasury and Commerce Departments will oversee implementation.

Countries that have signed trade agreements—Switzerland, Japan, the EU, and South Korea—may get reduced rates, while the UK enjoys zero tariffs for three years after a new drug‑pricing and investment pact.

Trump’s announcement was made on Truth Social, where he emphasized the goal of ensuring affordable medicine for Americans. The policy stems from a Section 232 national‑security investigation following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down other duties in February.