In his first major action on health care costs this term, President Donald Trump issued a multi-part executive order on Tuesday aimed at lowering drug prices and reducing costs for Medicare. The move comes as his administration seeks to impose tariffs on pharmaceutical imports that many experts have said could lead to drug shortages and price hikes.

The president said he would build on the Medicare drug-price negotiation program begun under Joe Biden, but supports a change sought by the pharmaceutical industry.

President Trump directed his administration to help states import drugs from Canada. But a proposal to alter a Medicare program to reduce costs could wind up raising prices.