Washington, D.C.: The Biden administration is poised to introduce fresh tariffs on Chinese-manufactured medical devices, including syringes and personal protective equipment (PPE), as part of its upcoming trade strategy announcement, as per two knowledgeable sources.
These anticipated measures form a crucial component of the administration’s broader agenda aimed at safeguarding the United States against supply shortages witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left hospitals grappling with critical equipment shortages, the sources revealed.
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President Joe Biden is expected to unveil the new China tariffs, targeting strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and steel, as early as next week. However, the specifics regarding the size and scope of tariffs on medical equipment remain uncertain.
The White House opted not to provide commentary on the matter.
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For years, Chinese leaders have expressed concerns regarding the nation’s heavy reliance on foreign sources for various products, spanning from medical supplies to microchips. To mitigate this vulnerability, China employed subsidies, economic targets, and other governmental incentives, emerging as a dominant force in these pivotal industries.
The COVID-19 crisis laid bare the lack of domestic production of essential medical equipment in the United States, from gowns and masks to ventilators, prompting the country to seek assistance from China to bridge the gap.
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Imports of syringes from China peaked at $348 million in 2021 but have since decreased to approximately $167 million last year, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
