Washington: President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping set of new tariffs that will come into effect on October 1, 2025, marking one of the most aggressive trade policy steps since his return to office. The measures include a 25 percent tariff on imported heavy trucks, a 30 percent tariff on upholstered furniture, a 50 percent tariff on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, and a 100 percent tariff on imported branded and patented pharmaceuticals, unless exemptions are granted.

The announcement has stirred intense reactions from industry groups, international trade partners, and financial markets. Trump justified the tariffs as necessary to shield U.S. industries from what he described as an overwhelming influx of foreign imports, framing the policy as a matter of both economic protection and national security. He also stated that some tariff revenues would be used to provide immediate aid to American farmers until the long-term benefits of the new trade policy are realized.

The pharmaceutical sector has been particularly unsettled, with the unprecedented 100 percent tariff raising fears of rising costs for medicines. The White House, however, clarified that companies that are building or expanding manufacturing plants in the United States may be exempt from the new pharmaceutical levy. Industry analysts say this provision is designed to accelerate investment in domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

Global markets reacted swiftly to the tariff announcement. Asian pharmaceutical stocks dropped sharply, and shares of major furniture exporters also faced losses. Economists have warned that the policy could drive up consumer prices and fuel inflationary pressures in the United States, adding to concerns about economic stability.

Internationally, close U.S. allies including Mexico, Japan, Canada, and Germany have voiced their opposition, arguing that the measures undermine existing trade partnerships. Mexico, which has become a significant exporter of heavy-duty trucks to the U.S., is expected to be one of the hardest-hit countries if exemptions are not provided. Trade groups within the United States, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have also raised concerns that the new tariffs could strain supply chains and raise costs for businesses that depend on imported goods.

The political and legal landscape surrounding the tariffs remains uncertain. Critics have already questioned whether the president has the authority to impose such sweeping trade measures under national security statutes. Legal challenges are expected, similar to those mounted against tariff policies during Trump’s first term.

Implementation details are still being finalized, particularly regarding how the tariffs will interact with existing trade agreements. Questions remain over whether some countries will be exempted, whether the tariffs will apply to products already in transit, and how the administration intends to enforce the exemptions for pharmaceutical companies investing domestically.

Despite these uncertainties, the administration has stood firm on its stance. Officials argue that the tariffs are not only about protecting U.S. jobs but also about rebalancing trade relations and compelling multinational corporations to increase production within the United States.

The October 1 deadline now looms large for U.S. importers, global manufacturers, and foreign governments, all of whom are bracing for the potential ripple effects of a new era of heightened American protectionism.