TOKYO, March 17 (Reuters) - Swiss pharmaceutical giant

Novartis says it is watching "very carefully" how the

reciprocal tariff policy proposed by the United States would

unfold in early April, Chief Executive Vas Narasimhan said in

Tokyo.

U.S. President Donald Trump last month flagged potential

import duties of about 25% on pharmaceuticals as part of

measures affecting other industries, including semiconductors

and automobiles, as he seeks to reshape global trade.