US lawmakers lead effort to stop extra tariffs on Chinese medical devices

^{Bipartisan lawmakers in the US are urging trade representative to remove tariffs on almost $3 billion worth of medical devices from China.}

A group of 40 lawmakers led by congressmen Erik Paulsen and Scott Peters are urging US trade representative Robert Lighthizer to remove the medical devices from the list of Chinese products which face additional costs.

The group is worried that the tariffs will be detrimental to America’s medical device industry.  

“As you know, the US medical technology industry is an American success story. This U.S. industry has been historically competitive on a global level and is one of the few with a consistent trade surplus.” The group wrote in a letter to Lighthizer.

The group is also worried that imposing additional tariffs on Chinese medical devices could result in retaliation from the Chinese government. Alongside tariffs, US medical technologies could face new regulatory and payment hurdles, potentially delaying or preventing market access.

“With its growing economy and middle class, rapidly ageing population, and increased demand for medical technology, China will continue to be an attractive market for US manufacturers. With that in mind, we are concerned that inclusion of medical devices on any final Section 301 tariff list could lead to retaliation that would jeopardise these opportunities,” the group said.

They also warn that the decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese medical products would be harmful to US manufacturing.

For these, and other reasons, we are requesting that all medical technology products be removed from the Section 301 tariff list. Not doing so would not only hurt U.S. manufacturing as the majority of imports from China are inputs to manufacture finished medical technology products right here in America, but also impacts their ability to compete globally, and potentially increase healthcare costs, which would limit patient access to life-saving technology.” The group wrote.