Section 232 tariffs on medical devices are a blunt instrument for a precision industry

The Trump administration has made reducing dependence on foreign adversaries a cornerstone of its economic agenda. From attempting to reshore semiconductor production to attempting to limit the use of Chinese supply chains, this administration’s protectionist policies are a significant piece of its identity. Tariffs are a core tool of that agenda. Used temporarily, tariffs could possibly be used as a negotiation tactic, but in general, they are a tax on consumers — they are a tax on Americans.

The question now before the Commerce Department is whether to use tariffs on medical devices through Section 232. The answer should be no.

Start with a fact that rarely gets mentioned: The United States does not need to build the medical device industry. We already lead it. Roughly 70% of medical technology sold in the U.S. is produced domestically, across 16,000 facilities employing 2.8 million Americans. We hold 40% of the global market share.