The Trump administration’s decision to launch a Section 301 investigation into Germany’s pharmaceutical pricing system has triggered a sharp rebuke from the European Parliament’s Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany).
“Unfortunately, this is no bad joke: the US is launching a 301 tariff investigation over a German draft law on medicine prices. That is interference in national sovereignty. Absolute no-go! Good that the EP secured a safety net against Turnberry violations,” said the MEP.
The investigation could result in the imposition of retaliatory tariffs or other trade measures if it concludes that Germany’s policies harm America’s economic interests.
The move came just days after the European Parliament gave conditional approval to legislation implementing the Turnberry Agreement, which caps most US tariffs on EU goods at 15%, including branded pharmaceuticals. Parliament insisted on the inclusion of safeguards allowing the EU to suspend elements of the agreement should Washington breach its commitments.
The investigation also drew a firm response from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who rejected the notion that Washington should influence domestic healthcare policy.
“As far as the reimbursement of modern, innovative medicines by our health insurance funds is concerned, that is a decision that falls within our national remit,” he said. “This is a matter
