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Thu, 02 Apr 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 Pharmaceuticals face 100% tariffs in US - unless firms strike a deal

The order does not affect generic medicines, the most commonly used in the US.

* The White House has announced that patented medicines entering the US will face a 100% tariff, but companies can avoid this by striking deals with the administration.
* Companies that commit to launching new manufacturing in the US before 2029 will face only a 20% tariff on their medicines.
* If companies strike pricing deals with the government, the tariff would drop to zero.
* The move is largely symbolic as it does not apply to generic medicines, which are commonly used in the US.
* Many big drug-makers have already struck agreements that allow them to escape the levies, and more are expected to do so in the coming weeks.
* Companies will have 120 days (big companies) or 180 days (small and medium-sized companies) to work out agreements with the administration.