On April 1, the Trump administration launched an investigation of whether imports of pharmaceuticals pose a national security risk.

Given the relatively short period for public comments, it appears the answer is a foregone conclusion. Tariffs are expected by mid-May. These duties won’t just be economically wasteful: They’ll pummel the U.S. health care system.

Unlike the “reciprocal” tariffs announced on Apr. 2, moreover, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says these “sectoral” tariffs will not be on the negotiating table in bilateral trade talks. The plan seems to be to make them long-term, including by issuing them under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, versus under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which would leave them more open to a legal challenge.

In addition to pharmaceuticals, Trump has also called for Section 232 investigations of semiconductors and

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