Story perspectives

Trump's Tariff Hike Boosts US Manufacturing, Affects UK Medicines

12/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump announced tax increases on imported goods to enhance American manufacturing, excluding pharmaceuticals.
A trade deal with the UK will permit tariff-free exports of UK medicines to the US for three years.
The UK plans to raise NHS spending on medicines from 0.3% to 0.6% of GDP over the next decade.
Pharmaceutical investments in the UK have stalled, with GSK and AstraZeneca shifting focus to the US.
US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. criticized high drug costs for Americans and called for balance in US-UK pharmaceutical trade.

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Story summary

In December 2025, US President Donald Trump announced tax increases on imported goods to enhance American manufacturing, excluding pharmaceuticals.
A trade deal with the UK will permit tariff-free exports of UK medicines to the US for three years.
The UK plans to raise NHS spending on medicines from 0.3% to 0.6% of GDP over the next decade.
Pharmaceutical investments in the UK have stalled, with GSK and AstraZeneca shifting focus to the US.
US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. criticized high drug costs for Americans and called for balance in US-UK pharmaceutical trade.