Bipartisan bill would expand presidential trade authority over medical goods

Editor's Note

The bipartisan Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act would grant the president expanded authority to negotiate trade deals and modify tariffs on medical goods, according to a March 14 report from Fierce Healthcare. The bill, backed by pharmaceutical and healthcare industry groups, aims to strengthen the US medical supply chain by easing trade barriers with allied nations and promoting domestic manufacturing.

Introduced by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Michael Bennet (D-CO), along with Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), the legislation proposes allowing the president to adjust tariffs on medical goods from “trusted trade partners” through removal, extension, or addition of duties. While the bill includes congressional oversight provisions, it would notably expand the same presidential authority under which Trump has recently enacted new tariffs on US trade partners, Fierce Healthcare reports.

Despite the bill’s stated goal of reducing trade barriers, its language also allows for the introduction of new duties, which Fierce Healthcare notes could contradict efforts to lower costs. Supporters, including the US Chamber of Commerce and healthcare group purchasing organization Premier Inc., argue the legislation would improve supply chain resilience and reduce costs for healthcare providers.

The full report offers further commentary from supporters and detractors as well as additional context, including recent scrutinization of trade policy and a previous version of the bill introduced in 2023.