The Trump administration reportedly believes the United States depends too much on China for pharmaceutical products, and is preparing a “Buy American” executive order for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
According to U.S. International Trade Commission data, China supplied 1.221 percent of U.S. pharmaceutical imports in 2019.
Buy American restrictions could mainly hit U.S. allies, who are the main suppliers of pharmaceutical imports.
This news comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s decision to exclude more than 100 medical items imported from China from Section 301 tariffs. Subject to legitimate health and security concerns, removing barriers to affordable medical supplies is preferable to erecting new ones.