A Truce in the Trade War Will Save American Lives

Why isn’t America just buying massive amounts of the equipment it needs from China? Because tariffs are standing in the way.

Since 2018, the Donald J. Trump administration has imposed more than $400 billion of tariffs on imports from China. Some $360 billion of those duties remain in place today. Critical medical products, including face masks, gloves, protective goggles, and thermometers have been subject to import tariffs. The tariff rate was initially set at 15 percent, but was lowered to 7.5 percent on February 15 as part of the Phase 1 trade deal.