The US Office of the Trade Representative (USTR) has announced a series of stringent new tariffs and increases to existing tariffs on a range of products imported from China, as part of an effort to counter “anticompetitive, unfair” trade practices. The list includes several medical equipment products, electric vehicles (EVs), EV batteries, steel and aluminum products, solar panels, semiconductors, and ship-to-shore cranes.
Under Section 301 of the Trade Act, which allows the US to impose trade sanctions on countries deemed to be violating trade agreements or engaging in unjustifiable actions that burden US commerce, the tariffs reflect concerns over intellectual property and technology transfer, as well as the flooding of global markets with artificially low-priced exports.
In the medical space, a new tariff of 50% will be imposed on syringes and needles this year, up from 0% previously. Certain personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators and face masks, will see tariff rates rise from 0–7.5% to 25%, effective this year. Tariffs on rubber medical and surgical gloves will increase from 7.5% to 25% starting in 2026.
The move aims to bolster domestic production of medical supplies, an issue highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The US FDA had previously issued a warning regarding the quality of all China-made syringes and advised healthcare providers to consider alternatives to Chinese-made products.
China’s commerce and foreign ministries have expressed opposition to the tariffs, with foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin stating that China “will take all necessary actions to protect its legitimate rights,” as reported by CNN. The Commerce Ministry also “firmly opposes” the new tariffs, noting that they contradict President Biden’s commitments.- Flcube.com
