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Mar 26, 2025

Medical device firms brace for effect of White House tariffs | MedTech Dive

President Donald Trump said delayed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada would go into effect on Tuesday. Catch up on MedTech Dive’s latest coverage of Trump’s tariffs. Medical device companies are

President Donald Trump said delayed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada would go into effect on Tuesday. Catch up on MedTech Dive’s latest coverage of Trump’s tariffs.

Medical device companies are preparing for the impact of new tariffs on Mexico and Canada and another hike on China tariffs. The changes, which went into effect Monday and Tuesday, could increase the cost of medical products and reduce sales outside of the U.S. if countries retaliate.

The new tariffs are in addition to previous levies last month on aluminum and steel. President Donald Trump also proposed enacting reciprocal tariffs against additional countries, but federal agencies are still working out specific plans.

Medical device companies have shared few specifics on how they plan to navigate the new tariffs. Healthcare industry groups, including Advamed and the American Hospital Association, have called for the Trump administration to exempt medical devices and supplies. However, there have not yet been specific carve-outs.

Catch up on MedTech Dive’s coverage on how tariffs could impact the medical device industry.

Wall Street analysts said current tariffs should be “manageable” for the sector but cautioned that other countries may retaliate. Read the full article ➔

Lynlee Brown, a global trade partner at EY, outlined several strategies for device manufacturers to offset fast-moving tariffs. Read the full article ➔

Relocating manufacturing would require substantial capital investment, but the timespan for the president’s new tariffs is unclear, supply chain experts said. Read the full article ➔

Disruption to the supply of devices from China would curtail hospitals' ability to perform life-saving surgeries and protect patients and healthcare workers from contagion, the group warned. Read the full article ➔

Analysts said the move comes amid rising trade tensions with the U.S. and as Illumina faces stiff competition in China’s genome sequencing market. Read the full article ➔

CEO Scott Whitaker said “an exemption was provided for most medical devices during President Trump’s first term with respect to the tariffs on China, and we are advocating for a similar approach.” Read the full article ➔