LATEST: Donald Trump imposes certain drugs in order to accelerate factory relocation in the United States
New information reveals that the following story has emerged from the international scene.
US President Donald Trump during a visit to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical company Thermo Fisher Scientific in Reading (Ohio, United States), March 11, 2026. ANDREW HARNIK/GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP US President Donald Trump signed decrees on Thursday, April 2, imposing on the one hand new customs duties on a certain number of imported drugs, and on the other hand readapting those existing on metals, just one year later the announcement of its global customs duties. The surtax on pharmaceutical products aims to accelerate the relocation of factories in the United States and could reach up to 100%, but 15% for countries or territories, such as the European Union, Japan or South Korea, which have a trade agreement with Washington. At the same time, the overhaul of customs duties imposed on metals aims to respond to the practices of companies seeking to “artificially manipulate” the prices of their production in order to resell them cheaper in the United States, according to the White House. Concretely, finished products containing a significant proportion of steel, aluminum or copper will also be affected by the 25% imposed on these metals, in proportion to the quantity they contain. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Why Donald Trump and the pharmaceutical industry want to force Europe to pay more for medicines Read later Rate of 20% for factories setting up in the United States The new rules concerning metals will come into force on Monday, while customs duties on pharmaceutical products will become reality within one hundred and twenty to one hundred and eighty days, depending on the size of the company, it was specified at the White House. Companies that commit to setting up factories in the United States will only be affected by 20% rates on their drugs by the end of Donald Trump’s term, while their production lines in the country are built. As for those who apply “most favored nation” prices to their drugs sold in the United States and commit to setting up factories there, they will simply be exempt from customs duties. His decree concerning metals imposes specific rules, in particular on foreign companies to pay customs duties based on the purchase value of American products. Unconstitutional surcharges Just a year ago, on the occasion of what he presented as “liberation day”, the American president announced a series of customs duties applied to all products entering the United States, with the stated desire to rebalance the trade balance of the world’s largest economy. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers How American customs duties are shaking up the European aluminum industry Read later At the same time, he implemented surcharges targeting several specific industrial sectors, such as steel and aluminum, automobiles or copper, considered by the White House to be of strategic importance. Le Monde Buying guides Reusable water bottles The best water bottles to replace disposable bottles Read Newsletter “In the news” Every morning, browse the essential news of the day with the latest headlines from “Le Monde” Subscribe Newsletter “La revue du Monde” Every weekend, the editorial team selects the articles of the week that should not be missed Subscribe Le Monde Jeux Every day new crossword puzzles, Sudoku and found words. Play Newsletter subscribers “The eco letter” The view of the “World” on the economic news of the day Subscribe Newsletter subscribers “The letter of ideas” Your appointment with intellectual life Subscribe Newsletter subscribers “The letter eco” The view of the “World” on the economic news of the day Subscribe The Supreme Court has since considered that a good part of these surcharges were unconstitutional, effectively canceling them, even if the government immediately announced the introduction of new customs duties, 10% this time, until the end of July. The decision did not, however, target sectoral customs duties, which are still active. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Customs duties: Trump’s maneuvers to circumvent the Supreme Court decision Read later Le Monde with AFP
Analysis and Perspective:
This report highlights significant developments in the international landscape that could reshape diplomatic relations in the coming weeks.
The implications of this story extend beyond borders and could affect millions of people globally.
We encourage our readers to follow this developing story for the latest information.
Source: This article was originally published in another language by International : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr. and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.