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US President Donald Trump has unveiled the final phase of his pharmaceutical tariff strategy, announcing that imported generic medicines will remain duty-free until August 1, 2028, before facing some of the steepest tariffs ever proposed for the sector.

In a Truth Social post on July 21, 2026, Trump said imported generics would continue to enjoy zero tariffs for two years, after which they would face a 100% tariff for one year and 200% from August 2029, unless manufacturers establish production facilities in the United States.

Trump said the two-year transition period is designed to give pharmaceutical companies enough time to relocate generic drug manufacturing to the US companies that continue to rely on imports after that period would face punitive tariffs.

Completing the pharma tariff strategy

The latest announcement completes Trump’s effort to cover almost every segment of pharmaceutical imports.

On September 25, 2025, he announced plans for a 100% tariff on imported branded and patented medicines, although that proposal was never implemented and was later replaced.

On April 2, 2026, the administration formally announced tariffs of up to 100% on specified branded medicines and key pharmaceutical ingredients under the Section 232 national security framework, while excluding generic medicines.

The July 21 announcement now brings generic drugs into the proposed tariff regime,........

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