US President donald trump has become famous worldwide for his unique and sensational decisions. Now, the news that he may impose a 250% import tariff on indian medicines if he returns to power is worrying. Although this decision may cause temporary difficulties for indian pharmaceutical manufacturers, it is likely to become a serious threat to America in the long run. The imposition of these tariffs may have a major impact on the health of the American people, the economy, and the entire healthcare system. Why is America relying on indian medicines? india is known as the largest producer of generic medicines in the world. Almost 40% of all generic medicines consumed in America are imported from India. Since these medicines are available at low prices, they are very accessible to the middle class, poor sections of America, as well as the elderly. This dependence is not limited to financial factors alone; it is a health care necessity.
 If 250% tariffs are imposed on indian medicines, their prices will increase by a whopping two or three times. This will create serious problems in the American healthcare system. Due to the skyrocketing prices of medicines, the poor, the elderly, and those from low-income groups may not be able to afford the necessary medicines. When the costs of medicines increase, insurance companies will have to increase insurance premiums to cover their losses. This will put a financial burden on everyone. Hospitals will also have to bear higher costs due to expensive medicines. This will harm the financial condition of hospitals. Due to these tariffs, indian pharmaceutical companies are likely to move away from the American market. As a result, there will be a shortage of crucial medicines in America, which is a serious threat to public health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a global demand for the drug hydroxychloroquine. At that time, india temporarily stopped the exports of this drug. trump, who was then the US President, himself appealed to indian Prime minister Narendra Modi and asked him to resume exports. This incident clearly proved how much the US healthcare system depends on indian medicines. The circumstances of that time show that without India's cooperation, America would have been in a serious crisis. trump may have had the idea of protecting the US pharmaceutical industry by imposing these tariffs. But this decision will cause damage to the US economy and health system. Many American pharmaceutical companies also import raw materials, intermediate products, and final products from indian generic drug manufacturers.
 
They will also lose money due to these tariffs. High tariffs on indian products will increase inflation in America. This will be especially true in the healthcare sector. A developed country like America imposing tariffs on low-cost medicines will lead to criticism worldwide. It will damage America's international reputation. Although this decision by donald trump is intended to protect American interests economically, it will exacerbate the problems faced by people, such as illness, high costs, and shortages of medicines. This may go down as a misguided policy in the history of the global economy. While these tariffs may have some impact on the indian economy, they are likely to become a major threat to the American healthcare system. The ultimate losers from this policy are not india, but the American people.
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Sowmiya Sriram

07/08/2025 09:46 PM