On September 25, 2025, President Donald Trump announced on social media that the United States will impose a 25% tariff on heavy-duty trucks beginning October 1, 2025. The social media post did not specify the legal basis for the tariff but indicated it was necessary “for many reasons, but above all else, for national security purposes,” suggesting a reliance on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. That statutory provision authorizes the president to adjust duties on goods imported in quantities or under circumstances that threaten U.S. national security following an affirmative finding from a Department of Commerce investigation. Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched a Section 232 investigation to assess the national security risk posed by imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, medium- and heavy-duty truck parts, and their derivative products (see Update of April 24, 2025). President Trump’s post, however, did not mention any tariffs on medium-duty trucks, medium- and heavy-duty truck parts, or their derivative products.
Minutes later, President Trump posted again on social media to announce that the United States will institute a 50% tariff “on all kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and associated products” and a 30% tariff on “upholstered furniture,” effective October 1, 2025. Like his earlier post, President Trump did not identify the statutory authority for these tariffs but indicated they were necessary “for national security and other reasons,” alluding to Section 232 once more. The Trump administration launched a Section 232 investigation into the national security threat posed by imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products earlier this year, which included wood-based cabinetry and furniture (see Update of March 3, 2025).
Shortly after, President Trump posted once more to announce a 100% tariff on “any branded or patented pharmaceutical product, unless a company is building their pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in America.” The social media post defines “is building” to mean “ground broken and/or under construction.” However, this definition creates ambiguity regarding how such products will be treated when made by companies that manufacture some branded or patented pharmaceutical products in the United States and in other countries but do not currently have a new U.S. facility under construction. Earlier this year, the Trump administration also initiated a Section 232 investigation in the national security threat posed by imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients (see Update of April 15, 2025).