Dive Brief:
- MedTech Europe urged policymakers last week to exempt medical technologies from any trade tariffs or export restrictions.
- The trade group said it is “deeply concerned” that the European Commission’s draft proposal for countermeasures to U.S. tariffs targets “a broad range” of devices, diagnostics and components.
- MedTech Europe’s intervention follows similar pleas from its U.S. counterpart AdvaMed, which has called for “zero-for-zero” reciprocal tariffs on the trade of medtech products.
Dive Insight:
The European Commission started a consultation into plans to impose tariffs on imports and restrictions on exports in May in response to actions taken by the U.S. MedTech Europe said the draft list of products “includes over 800 trade codes related to medical technologies, covering finished goods as well as a variety of core components necessary for the functioning of medical devices and diagnostics.”
Restrictions on the trade of the devices and components would disrupt supply chains and “create ripple effects throughout the healthcare system,” MedTech Europe said. The trade group wants policymakers to know that companies may struggle to adapt their supply chains before patient care is affected.
“Replacing components is not a simple option,” MedTech Europe said. “In some cases, no alternative exists. Where substitutes are possible, the process of revalidation is lengthy and resource-intensive to ensure the same high standards and safety are met. Delays to access to medical technologies ultimately affect patients.”
MedTech Europe wants European policymakers to exempt medical technologies from any trade tariffs or export restrictions. The trade group also echoed AdvaMed’s call for medical technologies to be covered by a zero-for-zero policy on trade between the U.S. and European Union.
The U.S. imposed a 20% tariff on most goods imported from the EU but temporarily halved the rate to give negotiators time to reach a deal. The U.S. has threatened to impose a 50% tariff. Negotiators have until July 9 to reach an agreement or agree to extend talks. After that, the U.S. may reimpose tariffs at a higher rate, potentially triggering retaliatory measures from the EU that MedTech Europe wants to avoid.
