President Donald Trump on September 25, 2025, new tariffs will be imposed on certain imported goods beginning October 1, 2025. These tariffs include a 100% levy on patented pharmaceutical drugs and duties on heavy-duty trucks, kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and upholstered furniture.
Key details of the new tariffs:
Patented pharmaceutical drugs: A 100% tariff will be imposed on imported branded or patented drugs, with an exception for companies that build their manufacturing plants in the United States.
Heavy-duty trucks: Imported trucks in this category will face a 25% tariff.
Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities: These products will be subject to a 50% tariff.
Upholstered furniture: Imports of upholstered furniture will receive a 30% tariff.
Context for the new tariffs:
Purpose: According to Trump's social media posts, the tariffs are aimed at addressing the "flooding" of these products into the U.S. and protecting domestic manufacturing.
Background: The tariffs expand on existing trade measures implemented by the Trump administration in 2025. These include earlier global tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and sector-specific tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
Legal authority: While a Section 232 investigation was launched earlier in 2025 into pharmaceutical and heavy truck imports, the legal justification for the new furniture tariffs was not immediately specified. The administration is also facing legal challenges over its use of IEEPA to impose global levies.
Economic implications: Experts predict the new tariffs will likely raise prices for consumers and negatively impact certain stock retailers that rely on imported goods.
Industry response: U.S.-based manufacturers in the furniture industry have seen their stock prices rise following the announcement. Conversely, European and Asian pharmaceutical companies have experienced drops in their share prices.