Pharma imports to US surge 20% amid tariff concerns

Pharmaceutical imports to the U.S. surged in March as drugmakers, particularly from Ireland, rushed to stockpile medicines ahead of potential tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. Data from the U.S. Commerce Department revealed that total pharmaceutical imports exceeded $50 billion for the month, with Ireland's exports accounting for a significant portion of this increase and resulting in Ireland surpassing China in trade surplus with the U.S. for the first time. The sharp rise in imports was driven by concerns that pharmaceuticals, previously exempt from tariffs, would soon face new sector-specific charges as part of Trump's policy to boost domestic drug manufacturing and address national security concerns over foreign reliance. In response, companies like Pfizer and Merck increased their inventories in the U.S., with some shipments sent by air to accelerate stockpiling. The Trump administration has launched an investigation into pharmaceutical imports and is expected to announce a decision on tariffs soon, while also issuing an executive order to ease regulatory burdens for domestic drug production. Industry experts and government officials in both the U.S. and Ireland are bracing for the potential impact of these trade policy changes.