Trump announces 100% tariffs on branded or patented drugs starting Oct. 1

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a fresh set of tariffs on a range of imports, including pharmaceuticals and "big trucks", in a series of social media posts on Sep. 25.

The tariffs, ranging from 25 to 100 per cent, will kick in on Oct. 1.

Patented pharmaceuticals

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that any branded or patented pharmaceutical products manufactured outside the U.S. will be subject to 100 per cent tariffs.

Exemptions will be made if a company is building their manufacturing facility in the U.S., Trump explained.

Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities

Similarly, a 50 per cent tariff will be slapped on "kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and associated products."

"Upholstered furniture" will face a 30 per cent tariff.

"The reason is the large scale 'flooding' of these products into the United States by other outside countries," Trump said.

He also stated that these industries need protection for "national security and other reasons."

Big trucks

As for heavy trucks, a 25 per cent tariff will be imposed on imports.

Referring to U.S. manufacturers, Trump commented that "we need our truckers to be financially healthy and strong."

He similarly cited national security as one of the reasons the industry needed protection.

The New York Times (NYT) wrote that the new set of tariffs was issued under a national security-related law known as Section 232.

Trump had previously used the law to slap tariffs on steel, aluminium, cars and copper.

The Trump administration said on Sep. 24 that it was beginning new investigations under the law into imports of robotics, industrial machinery and medical devices, NYT reported.

Top image via Donald Trump / Facebook, Canva