Pharmaceutical companies are pressing US President Donald Trump to implement upcoming tariffs on medical imports gradually to ease potential disruption and allow time to shift production, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Trump is expected to announce new tariffs Wednesday, including for pharmaceuticals, Reuters added.

While specific drug tariff details are not expected this week, Reuters quoted the sources as saying, the industry anticipates the levies are unavoidable and is advocating for a stepwise increase rather than an immediate 25% rate.

Some drugmakers reportedly hope the Trump administration will launch a study to assess how such tariffs might be applied.

Industry trade group PhRMA estimates that moving drug manufacturing to the US can take up to a decade and billions in investment, backing calls for a slower tariff rollout, the news agency reported.

The White House did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)