又征新关税？美政府借由“国家安全”，对多个行业启动调查

Group 1 - The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated a new round of "Section 232" investigations into imports of robots, industrial machinery, and medical devices to assess whether these imports threaten national security [1][2] - The investigation began on September 2 and includes products such as masks, syringes, infusion pumps, and programmable computer-controlled machinery [1] - The automotive industry is expected to be the most affected sector due to its high reliance on imported industrial robots, with 13,747 units installed last year [1][2] Group 2 - Potential tariffs on medical devices and protective equipment may increase costs for hospitals and patients, impacting access to critical equipment and services [2] - The investigation is based on the Trade Expansion Act's Section 232, which has previously been used to impose tariffs on various products, including automobiles and steel [2] - Ongoing trade negotiations with various partners are complicated by these investigations, with the U.S. recently confirming the effectiveness of a trade agreement with the EU [2][3] Group 3 - Southeast Asian countries are particularly concerned about the impact of U.S. tariffs, facing rates between 19% to 20%, with Laos and Myanmar facing as high as 40% [3] - South Korea is struggling to advance trade agreements with the U.S. due to investment and visa issues, affecting the implementation of tariff reductions [3]