Tariffs: EU to turn to UK and Switzerland for medical devices in the event of a US trade war

Brussels – Health and healthcare, the trade war of tariffs is also hitting medical devices, and the EU, EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic admits, is trying to run for cover by studying replacements for ‘made in the USA’ devices: “The Commission is currently conducting an analysis which will also address the availability of alternatives for the medical devices concerned from domestic capacity and from trade partners such as Switzerland or the United Kingdom,” he said in response to a parliamentary question on the subject.

It is EPP MEP Laurent Castillo who is concerned about the fallout on those in need of medical care that may result from transatlantic tensions. While it is true that Donald Trump’s administration has imposed tariffs on specific sectors such as steel and aluminium or cars, there are also “universal” tariffs on any European product sold in the United States. Sefcovic points out that, inevitably, this choice leads the EU executive to be unable to rule anything out, not even counter-tariffs on essential items for hospitals and treatment centers. “A public consultation was launched on the EU response to the US universal tariffs,” recalls the trade director of the von der Leyen team. “This includes certain medical devices because the US universal tariffs also apply to EU exports of medical devices to the US.”

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In short, someone could also die because of tariffs. This is why the EU is working to compensate, especially the single market and for fully European healthcare needs, for the possibility that EU counter-tariffs in response to US ones may hinder the purchase of American-made machinery and equipment — all while maintaining the ban on the same type of products from China, which the EU has already imposed. How the European Commission intends to move, and whether to move orders to the UK or Switzerland, will depend on upcoming developments. “The analysis will be completed with the input received during the public consultation and after further discussion with Member States,” Sefcovic further explains.

However, the Commission remains determined to explore all options, and the Trade Commissioner stressed: “Should the negotiations fail, the EU is ready to protect EU interests, including by reinstating the suspended countermeasures and introducing further measures to rebalance the other additional US tariffs.”