Leading US medtech firms have mobilised on Capitol Hill to oppose proposed Section 301 tariffs on Chinese medical devices. Industry representatives, including AdvaMed, are urging lawmakers and trade officials to reconsider the tariff expansion amid growing concerns over its economic and clinical impact. The tariffs could significantly disrupt global supply chains and inflate healthcare costs, says GlobalData.
The proposed tariffs—part of the Biden administration’s updated China strategy—would reimpose duties on a broad set of medical devices, including Class I and II products, such as surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and orthopedic tools. These items are widely sourced from China due to cost-efficiency and manufacturing scale.
Medtech executives argue that the tariffs will strain a healthcare system already facing inflation, workforce shortages, and high post-pandemic demand. Companies warn that the added costs may be passed on to hospitals and patients, potentially limiting access to essential technologies.
The ongoing tariff debate marks a critical moment for US medtech policy. As the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) reviews industry testimony, stakeholders await clarity on the final tariff list and implementation timeline.
Graysen Vigneux, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, commented, “While the strategic intent is to re-shore critical manufacturing, the near-term effects of these tariffs may be counterproductive—raising costs and creating barriers to patient care. Many of these products are low-margin and deeply embedded in global supply chains.”
Medical device manufacturers are evaluating contingency plans, including shifting production to alternative low-cost regions, optimising logistics, and in some cases, considering reshoring—though at significant investment and regulatory cost.
Vigneux concludes, “The united front from the medtech industry underscores the real-world challenges of abrupt trade policy shifts. Companies must now balance political pressure with operational resilience, cost control, and patient outcomes.”
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