Trump Says He Will Impose 100 Percent Tariff on Generic Drugs in 2028

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on July 21, 2026. SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump said on July 21 that he will impose a 100 percent tariff on all generic drugs starting August 2028 in a bid to encourage pharmaceutical companies to shift their production to the United States for national security reasons.Trump said generic drugs brought into the United States would face no tariffs for the first two years from August 2026, before a 100 percent tariff takes effect in 2028.The tariff would then rise to 200 percent a year later.“This is done in order to RESHORE Generic Pharmaceutical Production into America, with a penalty to those Companies that decide not to build Plant and Equipment within the stated period of time given to them,” he wrote in a Truth Social post.“The objective of this Policy is to protect the people of the United States. The Policy on Patented, Branded, or Innovative Drugs, which has been so successful, will remain as is. Pharmaceutical Facilities are being built, at a level never seen before, all over the United States of America.”This news report will be updated with additional details.