The Irish government has reportedly renewed its call for a European pharmaceutical taskforce, seeking structured talks between the European Commission, member states and industry following the United States’ announcement of tariffs on patented medicines and related ingredients.
The request is contained in a letter reported to have been jointly signed by Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke. It is addressed to EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and health commissioner Olivér Várhelyi.
The reported letter cites “ongoing challenges in the international trading environment” and asks the Commission to “revisit the idea of a working group or strategic dialogue between the sector, the Commission and those Member States most impacted”. It says Harris had written to the Commission in 2025 supporting the establishment of a pharmaceutical taskforce.
US tariff plan provides a lower rate for EU products
US President Donald Trump issued the pharmaceutical tariff proclamation on 2 April 2026 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The proclamation says the commerce secretary found that pharmaceutical imports threatened to impair US national security.
The measure sets a 100% tariff on covered patented pharmaceuticals and associated ingredients, subject to lower rates and exemptions. Covered products originating in the EU are assigned a 15% rate unless a lower rate applies. The 100% rate therefore does not apply uniformly to EU medicines.
The White House says the tariffs are scheduled to take effect 120 days after the announcement for certain large companies and 180 days after it for smaller manufacturers.
Qualifying companies entering US most-favoured-nation pricing agreements and commitments to move production to the United States can receive a zero tariff rate through 20 January 2029, the White House says.
Generic pharmaceuticals, biosimilars and their associated ingredients are excluded from these Section 232 tariffs at this stage.
Ireland seeks talks covering pharmaceuticals and medical devices
The reported Irish letter also cites the US Section 232 investigation into medical devices. The White House separately identifies medical equipment and devices among the sectors under investigation.
The ministers’ letter argues that pharmaceutical and medical-device companies operating in Europe support research, employment, tax revenue and businesses supplying the sector. It calls for a coordinated response to instability in international trade and investment.
The request covers European companies as well as US and other international businesses located in Europe. The proposed dialogue would bring affected companies together with the Commission and national governments.
The letter also welcomes the Commission’s proposed European Biotech Act and proposed changes to simplify medical-device rules. The Commission published its Biotech Act proposal on 16 December 2025, while a separate proposal addresses medical and in vitro diagnostic devices.
Ireland intends to highlight pharmaceuticals and medical technology during its upcoming EU presidency and advance work on those regulatory proposals, the reported letter says.
Vehicle tariffs add to EU-US trade tensions
The pharmaceutical request comes alongside a dispute over vehicle tariffs. Trump has threatened to increase duties on EU cars and trucks from 15% to 25%, accusing the bloc of failing to implement the trade agreement reached in 2025.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen rejected that accusation. “A deal is a deal, and we have a deal,” she said. She said the EU was implementing its commitments and was “prepared for every scenario”.
As of 5 May, the European Parliament had given conditional approval to the agreement, with a final version still requiring negotiation with member states. Šefčovič and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer were scheduled to discuss the dispute that day on the margins of a G7 ministerial meeting in Paris.
