Assessing the Impact of Increased Tariffs on Analytical Research and Equipment

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on imported semiconductor chips, signaling a new front in his administration’s escalating trade agenda. The move comes amid a flurry of tariff announcements, followed by a temporary 90-day pause on higher targeted tariffs for most countries—affecting imports from several of the United States’ key trading partners.

“Like we did with steel, like we did with automobiles, like we did with aluminum—which are now fully on—we’ll be doing that with semiconductors, with chips, and numerous other things. And that’ll take place in the very near future,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to medical devices and advanced computing systems. These chips are essential across countless industries—including science—where researchers increasingly rely on sophisticated analytical instruments built with semiconductor components. Analytical techniques such as spectroscopy also play a critical role in examining the structure and performance of semiconductors themselves, making them central to ongoing scientific discovery and innovation.

The proposed tariffs are just the latest in a series of actions that could trigger fundamental shifts for scientists working across academia, industry, and government. The total tariff measures could increase from $0.5 billion a year to nearly $63 billion a year for the pharmaceutical, life science, and medical device industries, according to an analysis from PwC.

The Trump administration tariffs are set to impact the supply chain across a variety of industries. © davide bonaldo - stock.adobe.com

Tariffs could place additional strain on already stretched research budgets at both companies and universities, potentially triggering a ripple effect across the scientific ecosystem. As the cost of imported goods rises, institutions may face higher prices for essential instruments, basic equipment, reagents, and specialized tools—resources critical to conducting cutting-edge research. These added financial pressures could lead to project delays, reduced purchasing power, and, in some cases, the scaling back of research initiatives.

Prices for analytical instrumentation have been increasing in recent years, as the market has evolved. The introduction of additional tariffs could further contribute to these cost increases, affecting the overall pricing landscape for laboratory resources.

Tariffs could also affect other essential supplies necessary for laboratories to conduct their research. According to a Nature report, the U.S. is the world’s largest importer and exporter of laboratory and diagnostic agents—many of which originate from countries like China and EU member states. These regions are among those most likely to be significantly affected by the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs, raising further concerns about future access and affordability.

Chemical manufacturers are grappling with uncertainty in response to the new tariffs. The Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA), for example, issued a statement noting that its members are facing rising costs for critical raw materials—many of which are not readily available within the U.S. These shifts are disrupting complex global supply chains and placing increased pressure on companies to adapt quickly, SOCMA wrote.

“We urge the administration to take a strategic, sector-informed approach—one that ensures affordable input access, promotes resilient supply chains, and leverages the unique value of the specialty chemical sector,” the society wrote in a statement. “SOCMA stands ready to work with policymakers to ensure this bold agenda delivers its full promise for U.S. manufacturing without unintended setbacks.”

Tariffs aren’t the only Trump administration policy with potential ramifications for analytical science. Federal research funding has also undergone significant shifts under the administration. An analysis by Nature revealed that approximately 770 active grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were canceled. Nearly 29% of those terminated grants were related to HIV/AIDS research. These funding changes may affect ongoing projects, potentially slowing scientific progress and limiting opportunities for collaboration and innovation in several fields. In March, the administration also announced restructuring and 20,000 job cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services.

In response, laboratories across both industry and academia are tightening their budgets, deferring nonessential purchases, and reevaluating long-term planning. Many research institutions are adopting a cautious, wait-and-see approach as they try to gauge the full scope of the tariffs’ impact—particularly on the cost and availability of specialized equipment and imported materials. With broader policy changes also in play, labs are preparing for a shifting funding and supply landscape that could affect staffing, project timelines, and future investment in research infrastructure.

How are the Trump administration’s new policies affecting your lab? We want to hear from you. Share your experiences by emailing chroncich@mjhlifesciences.com, and stay tuned as we continue our coverage of these topics