Bitter Pill: Australian Leaders Scramble After Trump’s Pharma Tariff Announcement

Australian politicians have reacted to U.S. President Donald Trump’s directive to introduce 100 percent tariffs on pharmaceutical imports on Oct. 1.
Australia is a major exporter of blood and plasma products to America valued at A$2 billion last year.
“Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100 percent tariff on any branded or patented pharmaceutical product, unless a company is building their pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“’Is building’ will be defined as ‘breaking ground’ and/or ‘under construction.’
“There will, therefore, be no tariff on these pharmaceutical products if construction has started.”
While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a face-to-face meeting planned with Trump for Oct. 20, the Coalition expressed concerned not enough had been done to negotiate the U.S. tariffs….