U.S. considering new tariffs for heart valves, imaging equipment and other medical devices
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has launched a new investigation of the medical device industry to determine, among other things, whether or not the introduction of new tariffs could help “protect national security.” Heart valves, pacemakers, coronary stents and medical imaging systems are all listed as types of devices that may receive new tariffs.
The DOC is specifically focused on learning more about the current and projected demand for personal protective equipment, medical consumables and medical equipment in the United States. In addition, it wants to know how other countries are involved in meeting those demands and whether or not “predatory trade practices” are having a negative impact on the ability of U.S. manufacturers to compete.
The DOC is seeking public input on all these topics. The deadline to submit a comment is Oct. 17. The findings will then be presented to President Donald Trump and could influence U.S. tariff policies in the years ahead.
This investigation is not expected to impact any tariff policies in 2025.
The full DOC document, “Notice of Request for Public Comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Personal Protective Equipment, Medical Consumables, and Medical Equipment, Including Devices,” is available here.
AdvaMed, a large trade association representing U.S. medtech companies, issued a statement on the DOC’s announcement.
“Our industry is a uniquely American manufacturing success story and leads the world in medical innovation, providing American hospitals, doctors’ offices and patients the highest-quality medical technologies in the world,” AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker said in the prepared remarks. “Seventy percent of the medical products that American hospitals and patients rely on are made in America across thousands of manufacturing facilities in all 50 states … we believe this process will reinforce the fact that U.S. medtech manufacturing is strong and lower tariffs will fuel more manufacturing and job growth in the U.S., which means greater access to lifesaving technologies and lower costs to American hospitals and patients.”
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.