Trump Administration Imposes Temporary Import Duties Following Supreme Court Ruling

Despite recent legal challenges to the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, a Section 232 investigation is ongoing for imports of medical consumables and equipment, including laboratory products.

On Feb. 20, the Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration’s imposed tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), ruling that IEEPA does not delegate authority to the president to impose tariffs. In response, the Trump administration invoked section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 “to address certain fundamental international payment problems through surcharges and other special import restrictions.” This 10 percent temporary import duty took effect on Feb. 24 and is set to last for up to 150 days.

The recent imposition of temporary import duties, along with the Supreme Court ruling against the previous IEEPA tariffs, both exempt any imports subject to Section 232 actions. An investigation initiated on Sep. 2, 2025, by the Commerce Department, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, sought “to determine the effects on the national security of imports of personal protective equipment, medical consumables, and medical equipment including devices.” This investigation is ongoing, rendering laboratory supplies exempt from the section 122 import duties but leaving the possibility of section 232 tariffs on the table.

On Oct. 15, 2025, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) responded to a request for public comment on the Section 232 investigation. CAP urged the Trump administration “to exempt medical device products from the imposed tariffs, particularly those products necessary for the development and provision of critical diagnostic services.” Additionally, CAP urged exemptions from retaliatory tariffs for these products in negotiations with trade partners.

CAP cited reports of increased laboratory equipment and medical supply prices following the announcement of tariffs, with manufacturing companies itemizing “tariff surcharges” on invoices. CAP explained that relying on domestic manufacturing in the short term for laboratory inventory is neither feasible nor sustainable.

Sources:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-imposes-a-temporary-import-duty-to-address-fundamental-international-payment-problems/

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/26/2025-18729/notice-of-request-for-public-comments-on-section-232-national-security-investigation-of-imports-of

 https://documents.cap.org/documents/College-of-American-Pathologists-XRIN-0694-XC134.pdf?_gl=1*fxs2ox*_ga*NTAyNDM3ODcwLjE3NDg4NjYzMjg.*_ga_97ZFJSQQ0X*czE3NzI0NTc2MTckbzU0JGcxJHQxNzcyNDU3ODQ5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA