Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) warned that President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on generic prescription drugs could increase costs for patients, arguing that allowing Medicare to negotiate broader drug prices would be a more effective way to lower healthcare expenses.
Slotkin Criticizes Generic Drug Tariffs
On Monday, in a post on X, Slotkin criticized Trump’s plan, saying tariffs on imported generic medicines could make prescriptions more expensive for Americans.
"President Trump’s tariffs on generic drugs risk making prescriptions more expensive," she wrote.
She added, "If President Trump wanted to lower drug costs, we could do it tomorrow: let Medicare negotiate every drug price."
In a video shared alongside the post, Slotkin said many generic drugs used in the U.S. are manufactured overseas, meaning tariffs could increase costs for imported medicines.
"What the president is proposing is to put a tariff on those generics so that they will be more expensive," she said.
She added, "That means if you go to your pharmacy and you get the drug that you always get and it’s a generic, it will likely be more expensive when these tariffs are put on and you, the customer, will pay that price."
Slotkin Pushes Medicare Negotiation
Slotkin described the tariff approach as "using a sledgehammer instead of a scalpel," arguing it could raise costs rather than directly lower prescription prices.
She said expanding Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices would allow the government to use its purchasing power to secure lower costs.
"We should allow Medicare to negotiate every single drug price," Slotkin said.
She added, "Use their big bulk purchases to negotiate a better price with the prescription drug companies."
President Trump's tariffs on generic drugs risk making prescriptions more expensive. If President Trump wanted to lower drug costs, we could do it tomorrow: let Medicare negotiate every drug price. pic.twitter.com/mC09stM9PM
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) July 27, 2026
Trump Delays Generic Drug Tariffs
Last week, President Trump announced that imported generic drugs would avoid tariffs for two years before facing duties of up to 200% to encourage U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Generic drugs make up more than 90% of prescriptions filled in the U.S., according to the FDA.
Scott Pushes China Drug Tariff Increase
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) urged the Trump administration to raise tariffs on Chinese generic drug manufacturers, citing alleged forced labor concerns and pharmaceutical safety risks.
He called for stronger trade action to protect American patients and hold companies accountable.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Read Also: Trump's 100% Drug Tariff Will Hit Americans, Economist Says Buyers 'Eat The Cost,' Not Foreign Firms
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