Imaging industry lobbying group ‘disappointed’ with White House’s latest round of tariffs

A key imaging industry lobbying group is expressing disappointment after the White House on Wednesday announced a new round of tariffs imposed on imports. 

The Trump administration said it now plans to levy a 10% universal tariff on goods from all countries beginning April 5. Government officials also plan to implement additional reciprocal tariffs on countries with which the U.S. has high trade deficits, the American Hospital Association noted.

AdvaMed—which represents over 50 imaging manufacturers including Bayer, Canon, GE HealthCare, Philips, Siemens Healthineers and others—criticized the announcement on Wednesday. The medical technology association has advocated for exempting radiological devices from tariffs amid concerns prices will increase while patient access plummets. 

“I am disappointed in the news of the administration’s intent to levy broad tariffs that will negatively impact American medical technology and innovation,” AdvaMed CEO Scott Whitaker said in a statement April 2, contending the tariffs amount to an “excise tax.” “It will have a negative impact on innovation, cost jobs, and increase overall costs to the healthcare system,” he added later. 

Historically, he added, industries with a “meaningful humanitarian mission” have been excluded from broad tariffs. In fact, the White House’s plan announced Wednesday it would shield certain goods such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and copper from the reciprocal tariffs.

“While disappointed in this initial announcement, we look forward to continuing our conversations with the White House to help them understand the important role the medtech industry plays in our healthcare ecosystem, the value it provides to patients, and the importance of the industry to continued U.S. economic growth,” Whitaker added. 

 You can read more about the new tariffs in this White House fact sheet.