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President Donald Trump on Thursday announced sweeping new tariffs targeting a wide range of imported goods — including a 100% tariff on branded prescription drugs, 25% on heavy-duty trucks, and 50% on kitchen cabinets — in what he called a move to protect U.S. manufacturers and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Trump said an additional 30% tariff on upholstered furniture will take effect next week, escalating his administration’s ongoing trade offensive under the banner of “national security.”
“The reason for this is the large-scale flooding of these products into the United States by other outside countries,” Trump said. “We need our truckers and manufacturers to be financially healthy and strong — above all else, for national security purposes.”
The tariffs are part of a broader strategy Trump has used to exert pressure on U.S. trading partners, including allies such as Mexico, Canada, Japan, Germany, and Finland. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce swiftly criticized the move, saying it would harm consumers and businesses rather than bolster domestic industry.
“These are allies or close partners posing no threat to U.S. national security,” the Chamber said in a statement, urging the Commerce Department to reconsider.
Truck and Furniture Tariffs Draw Concern From Industry
The 25% tariff on imported heavy-duty trucks is expected to affect global automakers with major operations in Mexico, including Paccar, Daimler Truck, and Stellantis, which builds Ram trucks and commercial vans there. Sweden’s Volvo Group is also building a $700 million heavy-truck plant in Monterrey, Mexico, scheduled to open in 2026.
Mexico, the largest exporter of medium- and heavy-duty trucks to the U.S., warned that new tariffs would hurt both countries’ economies. In filings with the Commerce Department, Mexican officials noted that exported trucks contain 50% U.S. content, including diesel engines and key components.
According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, Mexico is home to 14 truck and bus manufacturers and two engine producers. The country is the world’s top exporter of tractor trucks, sending 95% of production to the U.S.
Last year, the U.S. imported $128 billion in heavy vehicle parts from Mexico, accounting for nearly 28% of all U.S. imports in that category.
“Mexico’s truck exports are deeply integrated with the U.S. supply chain,” said a senior trade official in Mexico City. “These tariffs will raise costs on both sides of the border.”
Drug and Cabinet Industries Also Hit
The 100% tariff on imported branded pharmaceuticals could significantly raise costs for patients, health insurers, and hospitals — and complicate drug supply chains that rely heavily on European and Japanese manufacturers.
Meanwhile, furniture and cabinet makers in the U.S. applauded Trump’s decision to impose new duties on kitchen, bathroom, and upholstered products, claiming imports from Asia and Eastern Europe have undercut American firms. But retailers and housing groups warned the tariffs could worsen inflation for homeowners already squeezed by high costs.
Trump has repeatedly used Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows tariffs on national security grounds, to impose duties on steel, aluminum, and technology components. Economists say the latest round could ripple through industries just as the administration tries to contain rising consumer prices.
Global Reaction and Economic Impact
Business leaders warned that higher tariffs on trucks and parts could drive up transportation and logistics costs, especially as Trump continues to promise lower inflation. Trade groups representing Japanese automakers argued that they have reduced exports and increased U.S.-based production in recent years.
“The Japanese companies have cut exports to the United States while boosting U.S. truck manufacturing,” the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association said in a statement. “We urge the administration to reconsider punitive tariffs on close economic partners.”
Analysts said the new tariffs could reignite tensions with U.S. allies and potentially trigger retaliatory measures.
