In force from 01.10.2025 new package is set dictatorial in the US by decision of Donald Trump.
The duties amount to 100% branded medicines, 25% on heavy trucks, 50% in kitchen cabinets and bathroom furniture and 30% on upholstered furniture. The decision is part of Donald Trump’s government shift into a stricter trade policy with national security invocation and aims to categories of high turnover in imports.
In the drug side, the 100% imposition is for branded preparations, raising the costs for companies exporting to the US. The actual effect will be in practice, as some sectors have “ceilings” of duties from already signed commercial agreements.
And there is the first point “key”, as recent US agreements with the European Union (EU), Japan and the United Kingdom foresee higher rates for products such as cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. A 15% single duty has been agreed on the EU in cars and spare parts, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, while the agreement with Japan provides for an appropriate treatment with that of the EU. This means that new “national security” duties are not expected to exceed the agreed ceilings in these categories.
The second “key” is China. America and China have extended the truce for 90 days until 10.11.2025. During this time, a 30% duty remains in force to Chinese exports to the US and 10% to US to China. As Reuters reports, it is not yet clear whether the new duties will be added to the existing ones or implemented in parallel. The answer will also determine the final weight in critical chains, from furniture to equipment.
Targeting furniture and home equipment is not accidental. In 2024, the US introduced $ 25.5 billion worth furniture, with about 60% coming from Vietnam and China. The new 50% and 30% in cabinets and upholstered furniture, respectively, catch large market shares and can quickly go to prices for consumers and renovation professionals.
There is also a purely legal parameter that affects the application. On 09.09.2025 the US Supreme Court decided to examine the legality of the wide -scale duty of duties. The hearing is scheduled for 05.11.2025. In the interim, the government is “binding” its moves to more solid legal bases to reduce the risk of reversal.
For the European side, the important thing is that agreed duties act as a reference point in key sectors, but do not neutralize the pressure on other categories where there is no such clause.
Overall, the new duties raise the cost of costs to medicines, heavy vehicles and furniture, and the final footprint will be judged by how they will cross the applicable agreements and the verdict of the Supreme Court.