Italy’s Recordati CEO sees rare disease drugs exempt from U.S. tariffs

MILAN (Reuters) -The head of Italian group Recordati expects treatments for rare diseases to be exempted from the 15% tariff the United States plans to impose on imported European pharmaceutical products, he said on Wednesday.

“From what we know, rare diseases get a special, better treatment and are excluded from any tariffs,” Chief Executive Robert Koremans said during a conference call on the pharmaceutical company’s first-half results.

“It seems to be manageable,” he added, referring to the potential impact of the U.S. measures on the company’s results.

Treatments for rare diseases are an important part of Recordati’s business, contributing revenues of 515.7 million euros in the first half of 2025.

Under a framework trade deal announced between U.S. President Donald Trump and the European Union on Sunday, the White House says EU pharmaceuticals will be subject to 15% tariffs.

(Reporting by Giancarlo NavachEditing by Keith Weir)