Brazil’s medical device exports to U.S. slump 30% after Trump tariffs

Following the entry into force of the 50% tariffs imposed by the United States on Brazilian products, exports of medical devices to the U.S. market decreased by 30.04% compared to July, reaching US$21.2 million — the lowest value recorded this year for that destination.

The survey, conducted by the Brazilian Association of the Medical Devices Industry (ABIMO) in August 2025, refers exclusively to medical devices, a category that encompasses a wide range of products, including laboratory supplies (such as reagents and diagnostic kits), probes, catheters, heart valves, surgical sutures, orthopedic articles, and dental equipment.

According to the study, segments such as dentistry (-93.09%), rehabilitation (-85.02%), and medical equipment (-59.94%) were the most affected.

According to Paulo Henrique Fraccaro, CEO of ABIMO, this result reinforces a warning for the sector: “The U.S. tariff brought an immediate and profound impact on our sales, especially in higher value-added segments. This shows how much Brazil still depends on a few strategic markets,” he said.

Despite the downturn in the U.S., the sector showed resilience by expanding exports to other destinations. Sales to Europe increased by 44.51% in August, with notable highlights including Spain (+632.59%), France (+238.77%), and Switzerland (+130.72%). In Latin America, markets such as Mexico (+28.34%) and Bolivia (+56.18%) also gained importance.

“The redirection to Latin America and Europe proves that there is demand for Brazilian production, but we must ensure competitive conditions so that this movement can be sustained in the long term,” Fraccaro added.

Exports rise in the year-to-date

From January to August, Brazilian medical device exports to all countries totaled US$761.7 million, representing a 6.83% increase compared to the same period in 2024. All segments registered growth, with notable increases in rehabilitation (+26.64%), dentistry (+8.19%), and laboratory services (+6.35%). The medical-hospital segment remains the most representative, accounting for 64.49% of the total.

Among the items driving this performance were sterilized sutures (+96.25%), orthopedic articles and devices (+33.56%), and probes, catheters, and cannulas (+167.96%).

Imports in motion

Imports, meanwhile, totaled US$889.7 million in August, down 6.16% compared with July and 11.02% lower than in August 2024. Still, the year-to-date has already reached US$7.23 billion, up 8.37% from the same period last year. The laboratory segment accounts for 50.78% of the total, followed by the medical-hospital segment (39.59%) and the dentistry segment (3.25%).

The United States remains the primary source of Brazilian imports (16.57% of the total), but in August, purchases from the country decreased by almost 20%. On the other hand, imports grew from China (+3.15%), Japan (+38.93%), France (+39.77%), and the United Kingdom (+65.40%).

For Fraccaro, this scenario highlights the importance of public policies aimed at reducing the sector’s external vulnerability: “It is essential to advance in international agreements and regulatory reciprocity. Only then will our companies be able to compete on equal terms and plan with predictability,” he concluded.

(*) With information from ABIMO

Fonte: Comex do Brasil

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