Commerce Department opens Section 232 investigation into pharmaceutical imports

The Trump administration's Department of Commerce opens a formal Section 232 investigation into pharmaceutical imports, examining whether imports of finished drug products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and main starting materials threaten US national security. The investigation notes that as of 2025, approximately 53% of patented pharmaceutical products distributed in the US are produced abroad, and 85% of patented APIs come from foreign manufacturers. The year-long investigation will culminate in the April 2026 tariff proclamation.