Trump admin launches probe into national security implications of importing certain pharmaceuticals

The Department of Commerce on Monday revealed that it has launched an investigation into the national security risks of importing some pharmaceuticals, which will give President Donald Trump the authority to limit imports deemed a threat. 

The move is seen as a precursor to Trump's eventual tariffs on prescription drugs. The president teased the tariffs on pharmaceuticals last week, stating an official decision will be made in the coming weeks. 

The commerce department said the Section 232 investigation, which officially opened on April 1, will examine multiple issues, including the current and future demand for pharmaceuticals and their ingredients; the role of foreign supply chains in meeting U.S. demands for pharmaceuticals; and potentially increasing domestic production of pharmaceuticals and ingredients to help reduce reliance on other countries, per The Hill.

"The Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients," the department wrote in a Federal Register notice. "This includes finished drug products, medical countermeasures, critical inputs such as active pharmaceutical ingredients, and key starting materials, and derivative products of those items."

A Section 232 investigation typically takes 270 days to complete, however the pharmaceutical investigation could be faster because public comments for the notice are due three weeks after the notice is officially posted, which will be April 16.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.