US May Expand Tariffs on Medical Devices

On September 24, the Trump administration announced that it has launched an investigation into imports in key areas such as medical devices, robotics, and industrial machinery. This move is seen as an important step by Donald Trump to further expand the tariff system and lay the groundwork for new tariffs.

According to the notice published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Commerce is conducting an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which officially started on September 2. This law stipulates that the President has the authority to impose tariffs on goods deemed crucial to national security, and the Department of Commerce must submit relevant policy recommendations within 270 days. This means that in the coming period, the tariff trends in related industries will become clearer.

The newly announced investigation is significant as it greatly expands the range of potential industries that may face tariffs. The intention of the Trump administration is clear: to stimulate the development of domestic manufacturing in key industries by raising the cost of imported goods, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of American industries.

Currently, the reach of U.S. trade investigations has extended to multiple sectors. In addition to robots, industrial machinery, and medical devices, the imports of pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, aircraft, critical minerals, and heavy trucks are also under investigation. Previously, the Trump administration utilized this law to impose tariffs on products such as automobiles, copper, steel, and aluminum, and this investigation undoubtedly represents a further push for trade protectionist policies.

It is worth noting that although major economies such as the EU and Japan have reached agreements aimed at preventing the overlapping of various tariffs, taxes resulting from investigations into specific industries may still be imposed separately from the current U.S. tariff system. This situation undoubtedly adds more uncertainty to the global trade landscape.

At the trade policy level, trade authorities are seen as a solid backing for Trump. Currently, federal courts are reviewing the comprehensive tariffs imposed on dozens of economies under emergency powers, and the Supreme Court has agreed to consider related challenges, with two lower courts already declaring these tariffs illegal. Against this backdrop, if federal courts reject the relevant tariffs, the Section 232 investigations and subsequent potential tariff measures will become an important means for the Trump administration to uphold its trade policy.

From the perspective of the durability of tariffs, tariffs imposed under Section 232 exhibit greater stability, and their impact may persist even with changes in presidential administrations. However, compared to the tariffs implemented by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the implementation process of Section 232 tariffs is longer and requires more procedures and scrutiny.

In this survey, the medical field has received significant attention, reflecting concerns among some Trump administration officials about the United States' excessive reliance on foreign countries for medical supplies. These medical supplies include syringes, sutures, catheters, and gauze. Additionally, the Department of Commerce will review the trade of personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks widely used during the pandemic. However, the newly announced investigation into medical devices explicitly excludes prescription drugs, biologics, and other pharmaceuticals, as these are already being reviewed as part of a separate investigation by the Department of Commerce.

The recent large-scale import investigation and potential tariff adjustments by the United States will undoubtedly trigger a chain reaction globally. For companies in related industries, it is essential to closely monitor policy developments and prepare in advance. For the global trade order, this may represent a new challenge and transformation. The international community is also watching closely to see how these series of trade protectionist measures from the U.S. will unfold.