New White Paper Calls for Precision Approach to Section 232 in Medical Device Sector

Report urges targeted tariffs to safeguard U.S. leadership in critical medical equipment manufacturing.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:58am

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A close-up view of a gleaming metal medical device component, such as a surgical instrument or diagnostic sensor, floating elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the precision and innovation of the U.S. medical device industry.A new white paper calls for a targeted, precision approach to trade policy in order to safeguard American leadership in critical medical device manufacturing.Washington Today

A new white paper released today by AOM Advisors CEO Antonio Ortiz-Mena calls for a precision approach to Section 232 tariffs in the medical device industry. The report, titled "Critical Care: Protecting U.S. Medical Device Leadership Through Targeted Section 232 Action," argues that carefully applied tariffs can help shield domestic manufacturers of critical medical equipment from unfair foreign competition while avoiding broader economic disruption.

Why it matters

The medical device sector is a key part of the U.S. economy, employing over 400,000 people and generating over $200 billion in annual revenue. Maintaining American leadership in this industry is vital for ensuring access to essential healthcare technologies and protecting national security. However, the report warns that overly broad tariffs could backfire by raising costs for hospitals and patients.

The details

The white paper recommends that the U.S. government take a targeted, precision approach to Section 232 tariffs in the medical device industry. This could involve imposing tariffs on specific product categories where there is clear evidence of unfair trade practices undermining domestic manufacturers, while avoiding across-the-board tariffs that could disrupt supply chains and increase costs.

  • The white paper was released on April 14, 2026.

The players

Antonio Ortiz-Mena

CEO of AOM Advisors, the firm that authored the white paper.

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What they’re saying

“Critical Care: Protecting U.S. Medical Device Leadership Through Targeted Section 232 Action”

— Antonio Ortiz-Mena, CEO

What’s next

The report will likely inform ongoing policy debates around the use of Section 232 tariffs and their impact on key U.S. industries.

The takeaway

This white paper offers a nuanced, data-driven approach to leveraging trade policy tools like Section 232 to support the competitiveness of the vital U.S. medical device manufacturing sector without unduly burdening the broader healthcare system.