Although pharmaceutical companies currently do not face country-specific reciprocal tariffs initiated by President Trump, the medical device industry is not as fortunate. The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), representing medical devices, expressed concern about the potential impact of tariffs but remains optimistic about gaining exemptions or relief through negotiations between countries and the US.

AdvaMed's president and CEO, Scott Whitaker, stated disappointment in the tariff announcement but emphasized the importance of the medtech industry in healthcare and called for its exemption. Industry analysts are cautious about the long-term effects as medical device manufacturing is a global operation, with significant activity in regions like Mexico and the European Union.

JPMorgan analysts highlighted the potential impact of varied tariffs on imports from regions like the EU, Malaysia, and Costa Rica, as well as on China. They indicated uncertainty about the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and the need for changes before specific deadlines to avoid the imposed tariffs.

As the news of tariffs unfolded, certain medical device stocks experienced fluctuations, with some major stocks sliding more than 2% in early trading after showing mixed reactions post-announcement. Companies such as GE Healthcare and Intuitive Surgical saw declines in their stock prices, signaling market confusion over the implications of the tariffs.

When contacted for comments, some companies either did not respond, declined to provide input, or stated they were monitoring the situation, while others referenced AdvaMed's position on the matter.