Trump suggests 25% of tariffs on cars, pharmacists and semiconductors that could reach even higher

President Donald Trump He said that he can expand the scope of American tariffs in imports to include cars, pharmaceutical products and semiconductors.

In comments to journalists on Tuesday, Trump said the duties would be about 25% and “would be much higher for a year.” The president did not indicate whether the new tariffs would apply to all vehicles entering the United States or would be aimed at certain countries, but said they could start as soon as April 2.

However, the threat represents an extension in the aggressive commercial policy of the administration that has already included 25% tariffs on the imports of steel and aluminum that will enter into force in March.

The nations with the greatest car exports to the United States are Mexico, Japan and Canada.

Trump said tariffs are already having the desired effect, with companies domiciled abroad that wish to return to the United States.

“Some of the world’s largest companies contacted me, and due to what we are doing economically, through tariffs and incentives, they want to return to the United States,” he said.

“When they return to the United States and have their plant or factory here, there is no rate,” Trump added. “So we want to give them a little opportunity.”

In pharmaceutical products, nations that feel the greatest impact would probably be Japan and India. The economic impact would not be clear, although tariffs could aggravate costs and initially cause shortage.

“Tariffs could increase medications prices for American patients, exacerbate medication supply shortages and push manufacturers to search for alternative markets,” said Ophelia Chan, a senior analyst of commercial foundations in Globaldata. Chan also pointed out that industry companies “can respond relocating manufacturing and essays to the United States or other rates free countries, although the complete effects are still uncertain.”

In the semiconductors, Trump did not indicate when they would occur. Those levies would affect Taiwan semiconductorwhich provides chips to companies such as Nvidia and Apple.