(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sun 28th Sep, 2025) London, UK —
Trump's Tariff Tornado Targets Trucks, Cabinets, and Pharma: What It Means for Global Trade
UK Industry Faces Implications as US Announces New Tariff Measures
In a move that has reverberated across international markets, US President Donald Trump has declared the imposition of new tariffs targeting specific industries, with a notable 100% levy on branded or patented drug imports starting from 1 October, unless they are actively establishing a manufacturing presence within the US.
Accompanying this, President Trump has also revealed plans for a 25% import tax on all heavy-duty trucks and a hefty 50% charge on imported kitchen and bathroom cabinets, aiming to curb what he describes as the ‘FLOODING' of these goods into the United States from abroad. This announcement was made through a post on the Truth Social platform, where the President stressed the necessity of these tariffs to protect American manufacturing interests.
These measures have been met with concern from the US business community, already having expressed to the administration their reluctance towards the levying of further tariffs. Despite this, Neil Shearing, the chief economist at Capital Economics, remarked that the impact on pharmaceuticals might not be as significant as it initially seems, owing to exemptions for generic medicines and companies that are setting up manufacturing facilities in the US.
The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations has urgently called for discussions to mitigate potential adverse impacts on patients in both the EU and the US. This concern arises despite assurances of a protective cap on pharmaceutical tariffs previously agreed between the US and the EU.
The UK, having exported pharmaceutical products worth over $6bn to the US last year, stands potentially affected. The recent US-UK trade agreement, aiming for beneficial outcomes on pharmaceuticals, now hangs in balance. In light of President Trump's tariff plans, a UK government spokesperson has acknowledged industry concerns and committed to continued engagement with the US.
Leading UK pharmaceutical firms like GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca, with significant investments in US production, might be shielded from the new tariffs. Their substantial investment commitments in the US highlight a strategic alignment with American manufacturing requirements.
William Bain from the British Chambers of Commerce underscored the investment UK firms have made in the US, suggesting it might offer some degree of immunity against the tariffs. Yet, recent investment shifts away from the UK, attributed to the unfavourable sectoral environment, underscore the complexities faced by the pharmaceutical industry amid these tariff announcements.
Jane Sydenham from Rathbones pointed to President Trump's policy agenda as a pivotal factor driving investment decisions within the sector, reflecting broader uncertainties and strategic shifts in response to US trade policies.
Additionally, President Trump justified the imposition of tariffs on heavy trucks and cabinets to safeguard American manufacturers from international competition, asserting that such steps would elevate American brands like Peterbilt and Mack Trucks.
The forthcoming 30% tariff on upholstered furniture, lamented by Ikea as a challenge to business operations, further exemplifies the broad sweep of the new trade measures. Trump’s tariff strategy, a hallmark of his second term, aims to rejuvenate American manufacturing and employment, notwithstanding the cost implications for consumers and international trade relations.
As the global community grapples with the implications of these tariffs, the discourse surrounding domestic production, international cooperation, and consumer impact continues to evolve, marking a pivotal moment in US trade policy.
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