The participants in the "Special Report" All-Star panel took a closer look Thursday at the roots of the national baby formula shortage and what the Biden administration could do to combat the growing crisis.

JASON RILEY: There are still things they can do but are reluctant to do. One is to address the tariff issue. First of all, government policy is what put Abbott in control of 40% of the market for baby formula. These were these monopolistic arrangements they had with states that allowed them to be the sole provider of formula for recipients of low-income recipients of baby formula. That was a government policy put in place that could have been addressed.

BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE: FORMER FDA OFFICIAL RIPS BIDEN FOR 'SMOKE AND MIRRORS' RESPONSE

But here we are. And what could we do? One thing we could do is ramp up production abroad and import from places you don't have to import from China and places like that or India. You can import from Canada, which has very good safety standards. Why aren't we doing that? Because there are tariffs in place, Bret, there--and granted they were put in place by the previous administration. But Biden couldn't lift those tariffs and that would address the problem. And he's unwilling, or at least right now, to do that. But that would be the most direct way to get at the issue.

WATCH THE FULL SEGMENT BELOW:

Baby formula shortage: how the government may be partially responsible

The ongoing baby formula shortage can be linked to Abbot Labs and government programs for low-income families.