How Section 301 Tariffs Are Impacting Surgical Lighting Arms and OR Equipment Supports in 2025

Northern State Metals
May 12
3 min read

Updated: May 30

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As of May 2025, U.S. medical OEMs are actively navigating an environment of increasing costs and regulatory complexity, largely stemming from the ongoing and evolving Section 301 tariffs on imports from China—including duties on essential materials like aluminum.

These trade measures, introduced to address unfair trade practices, are significantly affecting the sourcing and cost-effectiveness of infrastructure-level components such as surgical lighting arms, monitor booms, and OR equipment supports.

For organizations that manufacture or currently source these critical components offshore, a reassessment of sourcing strategy is no longer optional—it's strategically necessary.

Understanding Section 301 Tariffs

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 gives the United States authority to impose duties on imports from countries engaged in unfair trade practices. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is the federal agency responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade policy and overseeing trade negotiations and enforcement.

Following a four-year review, the USTR announced tariff modifications in May 2024. These were formalized in the Federal Register Notice on Section 301 Tariff Modifications and rolled out in phases:

September 27, 2024
January 1, 2025
January 1, 2026

As of May 5, 2025, aluminum and steel tariffs first enacted in 2018 remain in full effect, alongside newer duties on critical minerals and extruded aluminum products relevant to medical device manufacturing.

How Surgical Lighting and Support Components Are Impacted

These components must meet strict specifications:

Lightweight and rigid for long-reach designs
Corrosion-resistant to withstand sterilization
Machined to tight tolerances for rotation and load-bearing
Finished to Class A standards for patient-facing environments

Overseas suppliers have long been favored for cost, but the current 25% tariff, global logistics volatility, and compliance concerns are making offshore sourcing far less viable in 2025.

Aluminum Extrusions for Surgical Equipment: Reshoring in Response

The broader trend toward reshoring is accelerating. In a 2024 survey by Optimation Technology:

69% of U.S. manufacturers reported initiating reshoring efforts
94% of those said the transition was successful

The momentum reflects a growing need for predictable lead times, traceability, and alignment with Buy American Act requirements.

How Tariffs Affect Medical Device OEMs

The American Hospital Association (AHA) has voiced strong concern regarding the effect of tariffs on the healthcare supply chain. In their February 2025 letter to USTR, the AHA called for exemptions for critical devices and pharmaceuticals, citing:

Higher costs for essential surgical infrastructure
Ongoing supply chain disruption
Limited domestic capacity for certain specialty items

For OEMs already struggling with staffing, capacity, and freight, this compounds the challenge—and amplifies the need for regional, reliable aluminum sourcing.

Recommended Components to Reshore in 2025

Given current tariff conditions, delivery uncertainty, and increased quality control requirements in the healthcare space, many OEMs are reassessing where and how certain aluminum components are sourced and finished.

The following items are among those most commonly being considered for reshoring or dual-sourcing strategies:

Surgical lighting arm extrusions (articulated or load-bearing) Frequently cited in supply chain audits due to their reliance on tight tolerances and anodized finishes that are vulnerable to transit damage.
Monitor boom and wall-mount supports Often include rotational load-bearing joints that require complex secondary machining. These components face both tariff exposure and quality variability when sourced offshore.
Anesthesia cart brackets and ceiling tracks Typically mid-volume, custom profiles requiring post-extrusion fabrication and sterilization-compatible coatings—conditions that are increasingly challenging to control in offshore supply chains.
Long or hollow aluminum profiles with machined end features High freight costs and deformation risks during transit have made domestic production more competitive, particularly for lengths over 6 feet.
Tubes requiring medical-grade anodizing or powder coating Visual consistency, FDA documentation, and cleanroom compliance are pushing many OEMs to reevaluate imported finishing options.

Why NSM Is a Strategic Partner

With Section 301 tariffs now fully in effect and reshoring efforts gaining momentum, OEMs producing surgical lighting arms and OR supports face a critical choice: adapt proactively or face rising costs and operational uncertainty.

At Northern States Metals (NSM), we provide complete, U.S.-based aluminum extrusion management with the flexibility and experience to help medical manufacturers navigate these changes. Our model is built for speed, precision, and compliance—backed by: