Trump's new drug tariff policy details released: EU and Japan granted exemptions, UK drugs may face 100% tariff

White House officials in the United States said on Friday that President Trump's latest announcement of drug import tariffs will not apply to countries that have signed agreements with the United States containing drug provisions. This statement brings expected tariff exemptions to major economies such as the European Union and Japan. According to details disclosed by the White House, drugs from the European Union will be subject to a maximum tariff of 15% under their framework agreement. Japanese drugs will also be subject to the tariff rate agreed upon in their bilateral agreement. According to a joint US-Japan statement, the tariffs imposed on Japanese drugs and semiconductors by the United States will not exceed the rates imposed on other economies, including the European Union. However, the situation is different for the United Kingdom, a key exporter of drugs. White House officials stated that since the US and UK have not yet reached an agreement on specific drug tariff rates, drugs exported from the UK to the United States will face a 100% tariff. Although London has negotiated trade agreements with Washington including similar tariff exemption clauses in the past, the final tariff rates are still undecided. Trump announced on social media on Thursday that the United States will impose a 100% tariff on all "branded or patented drugs," unless the respective companies are constructing or planning to build drug manufacturing plants in the United States. This sudden announcement initially confused some foreign countries, who were concerned about whether their existing trade agreements with the United States still applied under the new policy. White House officials emphasized that the relevant framework agreements are still valid, allowing the European Union and Japan to receive tariff exemptions. Earlier this week, the United States also took action to implement a trade understanding with the European Union, reducing tariffs on cars from 25% to 15% to facilitate the overall implementation of the new agreement.