As new U.S. tariffs hit medical devices and equipment, raw materials, and essential components, iData Research warns of significant cost escalation and supply disruption across the MedTech sector. A recent U.S. court decision blocking the bulk of the proposed tariffs has only added further uncertainty, leaving manufacturers and suppliers navigating shifting trade policies with little clarity.
With import duties potentially reaching up to 145%, and the potential expansion into pharmaceuticals, industry stakeholders must now reevaluate supplier networks, procurement models, and risk exposure across a $200B ecosystem.
What’s Being Tariffed and Why It Matters
Since early 2025, the U.S. has imposed tariffs on a broad range of medical imports and components, including:
- Medical devices: Surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and infusion systems are often produced internationally. Around 69% of medical devices marketed in the U.S. are manufactured outside the country, with approximately 14% coming from China.
- Key materials: Including titanium, stainless steel, and polymers used in implantable and surgical devices. These materials are essential for orthopedic implants, spinal devices, and various surgical tools.
- Electronic subassemblies: Like lenses, microchips, and power modules used in capital equipment, semiconductors are essential to medical devices. Taiwan, home to the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers, produces a significant share of advanced chips. While the U.S. announced a 32% tariff on Taiwanese imports, semiconductors have reportedly been exempt from these duties.
- High-volume consumables: Essential medical supplies such as syringes, gloves, masks, and gowns play a crucial role in daily healthcare operations. As of May 2024, the U.S. imported $14.9 billion in medical equipment, with some items facing increased tariffs.
- Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs): Primarily sourced from China and India. While pharmaceutical products were initially exempted from tariffs, there is an ongoing national security investigation that may lead to trade restrictions and the imposition of tariffs on these critical components.
Tariff rates vary widely, starting at 10% and reaching up to 145% on certain Chinese imports. Additionally, exemptions under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) remain unstable, adding uncertainty to North American supply chains.
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