The Trump tariff threat is on the horizon on robots and medical devices

The Trump administration has launched national security investigations into robots imports, industrial machinery and medical devices, a step that can pave the way for fresh tariffs and increase the costs of consumers, hospitals and manufacturers.

The Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that the investigations opened September. 2 According to “Article 232” of the Commercial Expansion Law, it will evaluate whether these imports threaten US national security, according to what it said. Federal registration files.

The latest investigations of the list of elements that can be exposed to the higher definitions to include personal protection equipment such as surgical masks, N95 respirators, gloves and other medical consumables, including syringes, needles and prescribed medicines.

It also extends to imported medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital family, diagnostic and treatment devices such as heart attack devices, insulin pumps and heart valves.

Investigations can be used as a justification for new sectoral tariffs that aim to enhance local production of goods that are decisive to national security.

The administration seeks to obtain comments from companies on the expected demand for these products and whether domestic production can fulfill domestic demand and the role of foreign supply chains.

Companies are also invited to determine the impact of foreign benefits and what the administration described as “predatory commercial practices”.

Previously, the Trump administration has summoned section 232 to Imposing fees on cars and partsand Copper, steel and aluminum.

Investigations in Medicines importsand Semi -conductors and chips ingredients Such as silicon chips, chip industry equipment and continuous relevant products, reflecting Washington’s concerns about relying on supply chains abroad.

Any new duties resulting from the investigations of the sector will be stacked at the top of the definitions that are distinguished by US President Doanld Trump, although the European Union and Japan have reached agreements that could protect them from additional fees.

The United States relies heavily on Mexico and China for machines, as imports from both countries represent more than 18 % and 17 % of the total US machinery purchases in 2023, According to the data of the American International Trade Committee.

The auto industry can be among the most difficult parties to potential definitions, as it represents the largest demand for industrial robots – 13,747 establishments last year, According to the International Robotat Federation. The group said that most of these robots were imported, as a few manufacturers were produced in the United States.

Possible fees on medical devices and protection equipment can increase hospital and patients, which reduces access to the equipment and critical care, Experts warn.

“The supply chain leaders in the Medtech are already reporting about the fears of the supply chain, and we cannot afford the costs of health care costs for patients, or on the health care system,” said Scott Whitaker, CEO of Advamed, the commercial group that represents medical technology and devices. “The truth is that any increased costs will be largely tolerated through healthy programs funded by the taxpayer such as Medicare, Medicaid and (Old Health Administration).”

Hospital trade groups also seemed to be the alarm this year, warning that high definitions may harm the quality of care.

“The disturbances in the availability of these critical devices – obtained from international sources – have the ability to disrupt patient care,” said Rick Pollack, CEO of the American Hospital Association.

– Berha Coombs from CNBC contributed to this report.