Washington, September 25, 2025: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs on multiple product categories, including a 100% duty on branded and patented pharmaceutical imports effective from October 1, 2025. The move, part of Trump’s larger “America First” trade strategy, is expected to reshape global pharmaceutical supply chains, affect India’s export prospects, and spark fresh debates over U.S. trade policy.
1. What the New 100% Tariff Means
According to Trump’s statement, the tariff will apply only to branded and patented drugs, while generic and over-the-counter medicines remain exempt.
- Any pharmaceutical company that has begun U.S. construction or established manufacturing facilities may be exempt from these tariffs.
- Alongside drugs, the Trump administration also imposed 25% tariffs on heavy trucks, 50% on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, and 30% on upholstered furniture. (Reuters)
This aggressive trade stance is designed to push multinational companies to shift manufacturing into the United States, thereby boosting domestic jobs and investment.
2. Impact on India’s Pharmaceutical Sector
India is one of the world’s largest exporters of pharmaceuticals, primarily in generic drug production. Experts believe the direct effect of this new tariff may be limited because most Indian firms export generics rather than high-cost branded medicines.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India has confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and evaluating the impact on Indian exporters. (LiveMint)
- However, Indian pharma companies that rely on partnerships with multinational corporations producing branded drugs could face pricing pressures and reduced margins.
- Analysts suggest that India could capitalize by expanding generic exports if multinational corporations raise branded drug prices in the U.S.
For a deeper analysis, you can also read our internal article on The Future of India’s Pharma Exports.
3. Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Shock
“Massive WW II Bomb Found in Hong Kong, Hundreds Evacuated — Latest Global Explosion Alerts”
1. WWII Bomb Discovered in Hong Kong, Major Evacuation
In Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, construction workers unearthed a 1.5-meter, 450-kg U.S.-made bomb from the World War II era. AP News
As a precaution, authorities evacuated approximately 1,900 households, affecting some 6,000 people. AP News
Bomb disposal experts safely defused the device, and no casualties were reported. AP News
Given Hong Kong’s wartime history, such finds are not unusual — old munitions occasionally resurface during excavation work. AP News
2. Deadly Explosion at Militant Compound in Pakistan
In Tirah Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, a powerful explosion struck a Taliban compound, killing at least 24 people. AP News
Initial reports suggest the blast may have been triggered by stockpiled bomb-making material or an internal accident. AP News
Local lawmakers claimed the explosion was tied to military airstrikes, though the military denied involvement and said it was likely an explosion of improvised materials. AP News
Civilians caught in the area are demanding a full investigation into the event. AP News
3. Oslo Controlled Explosion After Grenade Found
In Oslo, Norway, police detonated a grenade in a controlled blast near the city center. The Sun+2The Economic Times+2
Authorities also found a second unexploded device and arrested three individuals, including a minor, in connection with the incident. The Sun+1
The blast site was close to a university campus and the Israeli embassy. The Economic Times+1
No one was reported injured, and the area remains under investigation. The Sun+1
4. Local Bomb Incidents in India
- In Allahabad / Dariyabad, local police arrested a man accused of hurling a crude bomb in front of a home, causing panic though minimal damage. The Times of India
- In Puducherry (Villianur region), the NIA (National Investigation Agency) arrested two suspects connected to the 2023 Villianur bomb blast case. The Economic Times
- In Kolkata, a bomb hoax at the airport caused alarm. An email threatened a “pipe bomb” targeting a prominent economist, though no actual device was found. The Times of India
- Delhi schools too received bomb threats, prompting evacuations and campus-wide security sweeps. India Today
5. Broader Context & Trends
- The Hong Kong bomb find highlights the recurring risks in cities built over wartime zones.
- The Pakistan compound explosion underscores the dangers posed when militants store explosive material in civilian zones.
- The Oslo blast suggests that even in advanced urban settings, small explosive threats remain possible.
- In India, both real incidents and hoax threats show that security agencies must remain vigilant at all levels — public, local, transport hubs, and schools.
