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After Supreme Court Rebuke of Broad Tariffs, Trump Moves to Impose Up to 100% Duties on Some Brand‑Name Drugs and Adjust Steel and Aluminum Product Tariffs

After the Supreme Court partially struck down President Trump’s broad tariff program in February, his administration announced new trade steps, including tariffs as high as 100% on some name‑brand pharmaceuticals and “adjusting” duties on products that contain steel and aluminum. This marks the first move to expand or modify duties since the court’s decision.

Donald Trump Economic Policy U.S. Trade and Tariff Policy Inflation and Cost of Living Trump Trade Policy Pharmaceuticals and Drug Pricing

📌 Key Facts

  • On April 2, 2026, Trump announced he will levy tariffs as high as 100% on some name‑brand (brand‑name) pharmaceuticals.
  • The administration said it is "adjusting" tariffs on products that contain steel and aluminum.
  • This is the first move to expand duties since the Supreme Court partially struck down his earlier broad tariff program in February 2026.

📊 Relevant Data

Black and Latino households pay 13–18% more on average for energy per square foot of housing compared to White households, with these disparities persisting after controlling for socioeconomic factors such as income and urbanity.

Race, rates, and energy insecurity: exploring racial disparities in electricity costs and insecurity in Madison, Wisconsin — Nature

Racial and ethnic disparities in retail prescription drug utilization and spending persist in the US, with Black and Hispanic individuals showing underutilization of medicines compared to White individuals across payer types and health status.

Prescription Drug Utilization and Spending by Race, Ethnicity, Payer, and Health Status in the US in 2023 — JAMA Network

Tariffs on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients could raise costs for US drug manufacturers, potentially limiting affordability and manufacturers' competitiveness, with national drug costs potentially increasing by almost $51 billion annually under a 25% tariff scenario.

Potential impact of tariffs on active pharmaceutical ingredients on drug costs and manufacturing in the United States — Oxford Academic

The US manufacturing industry lost 108,000 jobs during the first year of the Trump administration's tariff expansions in 2025, with persistent declines in most sub-sectors despite promises to boost employment.

NEW DATA: During Trump’s First Year, the Manufacturing Industry Lost 108,000 Jobs — Joint Economic Committee

📰 Source Timeline (2)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

April 02, 2026
9:30 PM
Thursday’s Mini-Report, 4.2.26
MS NOW by Steve Benen
New information:
  • Trump announced he will levy tariffs as high as 100% on some name‑brand pharmaceuticals.
  • He also said the administration is 'adjusting' tariffs on products that contain steel and aluminum.
  • The article notes this is the first move to expand duties since the Supreme Court partially struck down his earlier broad tariff program in February.