The dental industry has gotten caught up in the trade showdown between the U.S. and China, with a number of key dental products showing up on a list of products and materials that will have tariffs slapped on them.
On April 3, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released a proposed list of 1,300 products and materials that could have tariffs imposed on their import from China.
The list included at least 15 dental and dental industry-related products and materials:
- Dental cements
- Dental fillings
- Ultrasonic scanning electrodiagnostic apparatus
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) electrodiagnostic apparatus
- Tubular metal needles and needles for sutures
- Dental drill engines, whether or not combined on a single base with other dental equipment
- Dental burs
- Instruments and apparatus used in dental sciences
- Mirrors and reflectors
- Optical instruments and appliances
- Anesthetic instruments and appliances
- Artificial teeth and parts and accessories, composed of plastics
- Dental fittings and parts and accessories, composed of plastics
- Dental fittings and parts and accessories, other than those composed of plastics
- Apparatus based on the use of x-rays for dental uses (other than computed tomography apparatus)
The list will undergo a review and public comment process, according to the USTR. The entire list can be accessed here.
