New Delhi, Oct. 10 -- America's new 100% pharma tariff, going by a recent post online by US President Donald Trump, was aimed at "branded or patented" pharmaceutical products, barring those for which plants were being built in the US. Indian exporters of generic drugs have since wondered if their shipments could face such a barrier too.

A Wall Street Journal report, citing White House and commerce department spokespersons, suggests they need not worry about policy creep. At least not at this stage. A tariff on generic imports isn't under consideration, says the report, though a final decision is yet to be taken. Pharma stocks in India climbed in response.

Some of this seems to reflect relief that the term "branded" would not be interpre...