USTR exempts some medical devices from 25% China tariffs

Any importer will be able to take advantage of the exemptions granted to 110 product descriptions, even if they did not file an exclusion request, according to the Tuesday USTR notice.

The medical device industry will continue to work with USTR and officials in China as trade talks proceed, according to Ralph Ives, AdvaMed executive vice president of global strategy and analysis.

"AdvaMed strongly opposes tariffs by both sides on medical technology products that help save and improve millions of lives every day," Ives said in a statement. "We remain hopeful for a successful conclusion of the negotiations, which are delicate and with broad-reaching implications that our industry is watching closely on behalf of the patients we serve."

The U.S. currently is the largest supplier of medical devices to China, supplying more than 30% of its medical device and diagnostic imports, but AdvaMed fears the trade war could adversely effect that relationship if it continues.

"Chinese patients will continue to have access to innovative medical technology, but from other sources," AdvaMed recently told USTR. "China will look for countries outside the United States – Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia – as alternative sources for U.S. technologies. AdvaMed and our members do not endorse imposing import tariffs on medical technology as a means of changing China's behavior in our industry."

The new exclusions apply retroactively to the July 6, 2018, effective date of the tariffs, and extend one year from Tuesday, according to the USTR.

Items AdvaMed requested that are now exempted from the 25% tariff include: