By National Security Times Staff
April 15, 2025 – Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration announced Monday the initiation of a national security investigation into the impact of pharmaceutical imports, a move that could potentially lead to tariffs on prescription drugs.
The U.S. Department of Commerce disclosed in a Federal Register notice that the investigation—officially launched on April 1—is being conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, a provision that allows the president to impose trade restrictions if imports are found to threaten national security.
According to the notice, the investigation will cover a broad range of pharmaceutical products, including both generic and non-generic finished drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), key starting materials, and related derivatives. The probe aims to assess the reliance on foreign supply chains, particularly from major exporters, and evaluate domestic production capacity.
Key areas of review include the concentration of imports from limited sources, potential risks to the U.S. supply chain, and the feasibility of expanding domestic manufacturing of essential pharmaceuticals and ingredients.
President Trump stated last week that a “major tariff” on drug imports could be imposed in the coming weeks. While pharmaceuticals were initially exempted from the administration’s broader tariffs announced earlier this month, this investigation signals a possible policy shift.
The Commerce Department has requested public comments by April 16, indicating an expedited timeline. Though Section 232 investigations typically take up to 270 days, the shortened comment period suggests a faster review process.
In a related development, the Commerce Department also announced a Section 232 investigation into semiconductor technology, with the administration citing national security concerns and advocating for increased domestic manufacturing in the sector.
President Trump has previously used Section 232 to impose tariffs on imports including steel, aluminum, automobiles, and more recently, timber and copper.
