Trump Slaps Tariffs on Drugs, Trucks and Cabinets in Trade War Escalation
<p><strong>Washington:</strong> US President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> has escalated his trade war by announcing sweeping new tariffs across multiple industries, including medicines, heavy trucks, furniture, and home renovation products. The measures, revealed Thursday, mark one of the most aggressive protectionist moves of his presidency, sparking alarm among importers, healthcare groups, and consumer advocates.</p><h4>100% Tariff on Medicines</h4><p>Starting October 1, <strong>branded and patented pharmaceuticals</strong> imported into the US will face a <strong>100% tariff</strong>, unless the company is building a manufacturing facility on American soil.</p><p>Trump framed the move as a way to force drugmakers to “bring jobs back to America,” but critics warn it could <strong>drive up medicine prices</strong> and strain supply chains.</p><p>The US imported nearly <strong>$233 billion worth of pharmaceutical products in 2024</strong>, making this sector one of the largest targets of the new tariffs. Analysts caution that healthcare costs for <strong>Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers</strong> could rise sharply.</p><h4>25% Tariff on Heavy Trucks</h4><p>The White House also imposed a <strong>25% tariff on imported heavy trucks</strong>, citing <strong>national security concerns</strong> under Section 232 of US trade law. The decision is intended to shield domestic manufacturers like Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Mack from European rivals such as Volvo and Daimler.</p><p>Shares of truckmakers in Europe slid in after-hours trading as investors priced in weaker US demand for imported vehicles.</p><h4>30% Tariff on Furniture</h4><p>Imported furniture, particularly upholstered products from Asia, will now face a <strong>30% tariff</strong>. According to the <strong>US International Trade Commission</strong>, imports made up <strong>42% of upholstered furniture sales in 2022</strong>, meaning American households may soon face higher costs when shopping at major retailers such as <strong>Wayfair, Ikea, and Williams Sonoma</strong>.</p><h4>50% Tariff on Home Renovation Materials</h4><p>Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and related renovation products — sectors heavily reliant on Asian imports — will be hit with a <strong>50% tariff</strong>. The move could add thousands of dollars to the cost of home remodels, affecting both contractors and homeowners.</p><h4>Economic Impact and Inflation Risks</h4><p>Economists warn that the tariff surge could <strong>fuel inflation</strong> across the US economy. While Trump insists the tariffs will “revive American manufacturing” and reduce the trade deficit, data suggests otherwise. Since April, US manufacturers have cut <strong>42,000 jobs</strong>, while builders shed <strong>8,000 jobs</strong>, despite earlier rounds of tariffs.</p><p>The <strong>consumer price index</strong> rose <strong>2.9% year-on-year</strong> in August, up from 2.3% in April, adding pressure on households already struggling with rising living costs.</p><h4>Broader Strategy and Retaliation Risks</h4><p>Trump has long embraced tariffs as a cornerstone of his economic policy, applying a <strong>baseline 10% tariff on all imports</strong> and higher rates for countries with trade surpluses. He has previously targeted <strong>China, Mexico, Canada, and India</strong>, citing concerns ranging from fentanyl trafficking to illegal immigration.</p><p>Trade partners are expected to retaliate. Countries hit hardest by the pharmaceutical and manufacturing tariffs may impose counter-duties on US exports, raising the risk of a <strong>tit-for-tat escalation</strong> in global trade tensions.</p><h4>Impact on Pharmaceuticals Globally</h4><p>The pharmaceutical tariffs, the most controversial of the measures, are likely to have <strong>far-reaching global effects</strong>:</p><p><strong>Drugmakers in Europe and Asia</strong> could face steep losses if they fail to relocate production.</p><p><strong>Supply chains</strong> may be disrupted as distributors scramble to source alternatives.</p><p><strong>US patients</strong> may face higher medicine prices in the short term until domestic production scales up.</p><p><strong>Investors</strong> have already punished pharma stocks with heavy US exposure, pushing sector indices lower.</p><h4>Trump’s Defense</h4><p>Defending the tariffs, Trump dismissed inflation concerns as “fake news,” declaring the economy an “unbelievable success.” He argued that the measures will finally compel global firms to <strong>invest in American factories</strong>, despite mixed evidence from previous tariffs.</p><p>“We are done letting other countries take advantage of the American worker,” Trump said. “If you want to sell to our market, you build here.”</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>With tariffs now targeting essentials from <strong>medicines to furniture</strong>, Trump’s trade war has entered uncharted territory. While the White House insists the measures will boost US industry, critics warn the result could be <strong>higher costs for households, disrupted supply chains, and retaliatory strikes abroad</strong> — raising uncertainty for both American consumers and the global economy.</p>