The US Department of Commerce launched Section 232 investigations into imports of medical supplies, PPE, robotics, industrial machinery, and critical materials to assess domestic supply and foreign trade impacts, potentially raising tariffs.
The US Department of Commerce has initiated new national security investigations, known as “Section 232” probes, on 24 September 2025, into the import of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical devices, robotics, and industrial machinery.
Section 232 refers to a provision of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962 that empowers the president to impose tariffs or other import restrictions if the US Secretary of Commerce finds that specific imports threaten to impair national security.
These investigations, launched on 2 September but only recently disclosed, could lead to increased tariffs on a wide range of imported goods. Items under scrutiny include face masks, syringes, N95 respirators, surgical gowns, gloves, infusion pumps, and other medical supplies, as well as industrial equipment like programmable robotics and stamping machines.
The department is seeking detailed input from companies about projected demand for these products, the capacity of US manufacturers to meet domestic needs, and the reliance on foreign supply chains, particularly from major exporters like China.
Additionally, the probe will examine the impact of foreign government subsidies and trade practices on US industries.
The investigation spans a wide range of medical devices, including pacemakers, insulin pumps, stents, heart valves, hearing aids, prosthetics, glucose monitors, orthopaedic tools, CT scanners, and MRI machines. Pharmaceuticals, such as prescription drugs, and drones are being examined under separate Section 232 inquiries.
The robotics probe focuses on equipment like machine tools for cutting, welding, and material handling, as well as autoclaves, industrial ovens, and laser or water-cutting machinery.
Furthermore, the department is assessing the national security implications of imports in sectors like wind turbines, airplanes, semiconductors, heavy trucks, polysilicon, copper, timber, lumber, and critical minerals.
Public comments must be received by 17 October 2025.
Earlier, the Department of Commerce initiated the September 2025 submission period for requests to add further derivative steel and aluminium products to the existing section 232 tariffs under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on 15 September 2025.
