The United States is preparing to raise a universal import tariff to 15%, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, signalling a significant shift in global trade policy that could have ripple effects across health, technology and pharmaceutical supply chains.
Speaking in a televised interview, Bessent said the higher tariff rate was “likely sometime this week”, increasing the current 10% universal duty that was introduced following a recent legal setback for the Trump administration’s trade agenda.
The move comes after the US Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that the administration lacked authority to impose sweeping tariffs under emergency economic powers, forcing officials to rebuild the policy using alternative legal mechanisms. As a result, the White House introduced a temporary global tariff using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the US president to impose import restrictions of up to 15% for a maximum of 150 days without congressional approval.
Rebuilding Trump’s tariff strategy
President Donald Trump initially implemented a 10% universal tariff as a short-term measure after the court decision invalidated earlier “reciprocal tariffs” applied to multiple trading partners. The administration now plans to raise that rate to the legal maximum of 15%, while officials work on a longer-term tariff framework.
Bessent indicated that the temporary tariff period will allow US agencies to conduct investigations under Section 301 (addressing unfair trade practices) and Section 232 (national security-related tariffs). These provisions have historically survived court challenges and could form the basis of more permanent duties. According to the Treasury Secretary, the administration expects tariff rates to return to previous levels within around five months, once these investigations are completed and new trade policies are finalised.
Economic and global trade implications
The proposed tariff rise has generated concern among economists and international trade experts, who warn that broad import duties could disrupt global supply chains and push up prices for consumers and businesses.
Analysts note that tariffs affect a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and technology manufacturing. Many healthcare products rely on globally integrated supply chains for components such as semiconductors, diagnostic devices and specialised medical materials.
Higher tariffs on imported goods could therefore increase costs for health systems and technology companies, potentially affecting research programmes, clinical trials and medical device development. Some economists also warn that tariffs function effectively as a tax on imports, potentially raising prices for households. Estimates suggest the policy could add hundreds of dollars to annual consumer costs during the temporary tariff period.
Impact on healthcare and innovation
For the health technology sector, changes in trade policy are closely watched because many digital health platforms, medical devices and pharmaceutical ingredients depend on international manufacturing networks.
In the UK and across Europe, industry groups are monitoring developments in US trade policy, particularly because the United States remains one of the world’s largest markets for medical innovation and biotechnology partnerships. Researchers also warn that tariffs could affect the cost of equipment used in clinical research, including imaging technologies, diagnostic tools and laboratory systems. Such equipment is frequently sourced from multiple countries and assembled across international supply chains.
A volatile period for global trade
For now, the proposed 15% universal tariff represents a temporary bridge as the Trump administration rebuilds its trade framework following the Supreme Court ruling. However, analysts say the next few months could prove pivotal. If the administration succeeds in establishing new legal justifications for broader tariffs, the result could be a lasting shift in global trade dynamics, one that will affect industries ranging from manufacturing and technology to healthcare and life sciences. For health and technology sectors in the UK and beyond, the evolving trade landscape will be closely watched, as tariff policies increasingly shape the cost, speed and scale of innovation worldwide.
