Paris (AFP) – Donald Trump has shocked the global drug industry by announcing 100-percent tariffs on all branded, imported pharmaceutical products unless companies are building manufacturing plants in the United States. With just five days left until the US president is set to impose the harshest measures yet in his global trade war, analysts have been racing to figure out which nations, firms, and drugs could be affected. While plenty of uncertainty remains, there do appear to be some exemptions. Major exporter the European Union says a previous trade deal shields the bloc from the tariffs.
Trump announced late Thursday that he would impose a 100-percent tariff on “any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product” unless the company has started construction on a manufacturing plant by October 1. The statement indicates that generic medicines—cheaper versions of drugs produced once patents expire—are exempt. Neil Shearing, an economist at Capital Economics, said this exemption would have limited impact because while “90 percent of US drugs consumption volumes go toward generic drugs,” they account for “just 10 percent or so of spending values.” Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, noted that “most of the big pharma producers already produce their drugs for the American market in the US.” However, there are many popular exceptions—such as the blockbuster weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro—as well as some cancer treatments that are all made in Europe, she added. Last year, the US imported nearly $252 billion worth of drugs and other pharma products, making it the second-largest import in value after vehicles, according to the Department of Commerce.
The EU said Friday that a trade deal sealed with the US in July shielded the bloc. “This clear all-inclusive 15 percent tariff ceiling for EU exports represents an insurance policy that no higher tariffs will emerge for European economic operators,” EU trade spokesman Olof Gill said. Tariffs on medicine “would create the worst of all worlds” by increasing costs, disrupting supply chains, and preventing patients from getting life-saving treatment, Nathalie Moll of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations said in a statement to AFP. Macro Angel Talavera from Oxford Economics noted that the July trade deal should in principle protect EU companies—but it remains “far from clear.” Switzerland—home to pharma giants Roche, Novartis, and AstraZeneca—was likely most at risk because the country is not a member of the EU, he said. Denmark, where Ozempic and Wegovy producer Novo Nordisk has a significant impact on the national economy, was also under threat. The pharma sector in Ireland, whose exports to the US represent roughly 12 percent of GDP, was among European groups calling for urgent talks to avert the looming tariffs. A British government spokesperson said the UK was “actively engaging with the US and will continue to do so over the coming days.” In Asia, Japan and South Korea are thought to be shielded by trade deals, while India mostly exports generic drugs, according to Louise Loo at Oxford Economics. “Singapore, focused on high-value patented drugs, faces the greatest risk,” she added.
Trump had previously threatened even steeper tariffs of 200 percent on pharmaceuticals in July. Aiming to protect themselves from Trump’s protectionist policies, pharma giants have announced around $300 million in investments in the US in recent months. “Although many pharma companies have pledged to build plants in the US, construction may not have started yet, as these plants are complex to build,” Brooks said. However, Trump was clear that he defined building as “breaking ground” on construction sites. Swiss pharma giant Novartis stated on Friday that “we have ongoing construction and expect to announce five new sites to be under construction before the end of the year.” A spokesperson for Bayer mentioned that the German company was “assessing the situation.” Other major firms contacted by AFP have yet to respond.
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