President Donald Trump is under growing pressure from US hospitals and generic drug manufacturers to exclude medical supplies from his newly imposed tariffs on Chinese imports.

On Tuesday, Trump implemented a 10% tariff on all Chinese goods entering the US, prompting China to retaliate with its own tariffs. Meanwhile, he temporarily paused a planned 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods following discussions with their leaders. The European Union is expected to be his next trade target.

In a letter to Trump, the American Hospital Association—which represents nearly 5,000 hospitals—expressed deep concerns over the impact of these tariffs on critical medicines, including cancer treatments, heart medications, and widely used antibiotics like amoxicillin. The group highlighted that almost 30% of the raw ingredients for essential drugs come from China, along with a third of disposable face masks and nearly all plastic gloves used in US healthcare facilities.

The Association for Accessible Medicines, a lobby group for generic drugmakers, also called for an exemption, warning that price hikes on low-cost medications could worsen existing drug shortages.

For decades, the US and major global trade partners have agreed to eliminate tariffs on pharmaceutical products, ensuring affordable access to essential medicines. However, industry leaders fear that Trump's latest tariffs could disrupt this balance, placing additional strain on hospitals and patients.

As concerns mount, the White House has yet to issue a response. Stay tuned for updates on how this trade battle could impact the US healthcare system.