Proposed US Section 301 tariff action: implications for medical technologies

Posted on 02.07.2026

On 2 June 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative published its determinations and proposed tariff action for public comment following Section 301 investigations concerning forced labour import restrictions across a number of US trading partners, including the European Union. The proposal foresees additional duties of 10% on imports from the European Union and the United Kingdom, and 12.5% on imports from Switzerland.

The proposed action is cross-sectoral and not specific to medical technologies. It forms part of a broader US trade process linked to the enforcement of forced labour import prohibitions. Under the proposal, additional duties could apply to imports from the economies covered by the investigation, unless specific trade codes are exempted.

Medical technologies, including medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, components and essential inputs, are critical to patient care, diagnosis, treatment, healthcare delivery and health system resilience. The sector relies on highly specialised, globally integrated and strictly regulated supply chains to ensure the availability of safe, effective and innovative products.

For this reason, MedTech Europe underlines that medical technologies should not be subject to additional tariffs, whether under the proposed Section 301 action or any other trade-restrictive measure. Additional tariffs on essential healthcare products risk creating uncertainty, increasing costs and placing avoidable pressure on companies, healthcare systems and patients.

Further information on the USTR Section 301 process is available here.

For more information, please contact Clare Birmingham, Manager International Affairs