6. The U.S.-China trade war
Under President Donald Trump, tariffs have become a go-to negotiating tactic with other countries, including close U.S. allies such as Canada and the European Union. In late May, Trump threatened to levy them against Mexico over illegal immigration; had he followed through, it could have been a serious situation for the U.S. medtech industry as many companies increasingly manufacture south of the border.No trade dispute, however, appeared to be as deep and long-lasting as the confrontation between the world’s two largest economies. If the tariffs actually make a country great again, it might be Malaysia, Vietnam or Costa Rica, global medical device industry suppliers told Medical Design & Outsourcing over the summer.