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Trump’s tariffs: any road to relief?
Yahoo Finance· 2025-10-27 12:53
Core Viewpoint - The upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for imposing tariffs is a significant focus for the Trump administration, with potential implications for the medical device industry and broader economic impacts [1][6]. Tariffs and Economic Impact - Trump imposed tariffs under IEEPA in February 2025, with tariffs on China imports currently at 55%, and a potential threat of an additional 100% tariff by November 1 [2]. - The US Treasury Secretary estimates that annual tariff revenue could reach $300 billion in 2025, although experts warn that tariffs negatively affect companies reliant on imports [4]. - The medical device industry is particularly concerned about the impact of tariffs on patient access to essential technologies [3]. Industry Response and Challenges - The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has urged the Trump administration to consider lower tariffs to promote medtech manufacturing and job growth in the US [3]. - The medical device industry faces significant challenges in shifting manufacturing away from China due to regulatory complexities and the time required for such transitions [7][8]. - Executives in the industry are beginning to develop strategies to navigate the challenges posed by tariffs, including tariff classification and supply chain issues [10][11]. Customs Planning and Strategies - Companies are exploring customs planning strategies to mitigate the impact of tariffs, including utilizing the first sale rule for customs duties [13][15]. - New middleman structures are being created to separate intellectual property from manufacturing costs, allowing companies to potentially reduce customs duties [16][17]. Legislative Context - The ongoing US-China trade war complicates the situation, with China implementing additional export controls on rare earth metals critical for medical device production [17]. - Congress has not passed a miscellaneous tariff bill since Biden took office, which previously provided temporary duty suspensions for essential imports [19][20]. - There is a call for Congress to take action to alleviate tariff pressures on the medical device industry, as the current situation remains unresolved [20].