Overview

• Commerce disclosed on Sept. 24 that the investigations began Sept. 2 under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
• The reviews span PPE and medical devices such as surgical masks, N95s, gloves, gowns, IV supplies, pacemakers, insulin pumps, stents and CT/MRI scanners.
• A separate track covers robotics and industrial machinery, including machine tools for cutting and welding, autoclaves, industrial ovens, and laser or water-cutting systems.
• Companies are being asked to quantify demand, assess U.S. production capability, and detail the role of foreign suppliers, including major exporters such as China.
• The inquiries could support higher tariffs if national-security risks are found, but no new trade measures have been implemented.