The US Trump administration launched an investigation led by the Department of Commerce, taking a decisive step towards imposing tariffs on imports of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. As a prelude to the imposition of tariffs, Monday's moves are likely to expand Trump's all-out trade war. The US Department of Commerce said in two notices published in the Federal Register that it will investigate the impact of “imported semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment” and “pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, including finished drugs” on US national security.

The US Trump administration launched an investigation led by the Department of Commerce, taking a decisive step towards imposing tariffs on imports of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. As a prelude to the imposition of tariffs, Monday's moves are likely to expand Trump's all-out trade war. The US Department of Commerce said in two notices published in the Federal Register that it will investigate the impact of “imported semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment” and “pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, including finished drugs” on US national security.