August 08, 2025
2 min read
Key takeaways:
- New tariffs on Italy, Japan, Taiwan and other countries could pose stocking and pricing challenges for optometrists.
- China tariffs are scheduled to increase on Aug. 12.
The U.S. has officially raised tariffs on dozens of countries following months of delays and negotiations.
Increased tariffs began to be collected at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, ranging from 10% for the U.K. to as high as 50% for Brazil and India, according to Reuters.
Tariffs on China, the world’s leading exporter of optical products to the U.S., were unaffected by these latest hikes. China currently faces a 10% “reciprocal” tariff rate, with plastic spectacle frames under a combined 40% tariff burden, according to the Vision Council. China is currently set for a separate tariff increase on Aug. 12, when a 90-day trade agreement is scheduled to expire unless there is another agreement.
Still, the tariffs implemented Thursday “will have both direct and indirect impacts across the optical industry,” Omar Elkhatib, senior manager of government relations at the Vision Council, told Healio.
“For optometrists, these changes may influence product availability, wholesale costs and ultimately patient pricing, particularly in categories such as sunglasses, plastic frames and prescription lenses,” Elkhatib said. “New rates for countries including Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and others may require practices to reevaluate purchasing and sourcing strategies.
“Independent practices and smaller retailers may feel these effects most acutely, as reduced supplier flexibility and potential shipping delays could disrupt both stock management and pricing stability. We urge optometrists to review their supplier contracts, discuss contingency sourcing with distributors and plan ahead for possible pricing adjustments in patient communications.”
In a statement to Healio, the American Optometric Association said it is “maintaining a continuous dialogue” with the White House and Congress.
“As in 2019, when the AOA pressed for targeted relief from a far-reaching tariff program and throughout the 2020-2022 national public health emergency when optometry practices were included in all physician and small business grant and loan initiatives, AOA and our affiliates will relentlessly focus on delivering support to our doctors and their practices and will safeguard optometry’s essential and expanding role in health care,” the statement said.
The tariffs were initially announced in April but were put on a 90-day pause until July, at which point they were deferred again until Aug. 1 pending trade negotiations. The new Aug. 7 deadline was announced on July 31.
President Donald J. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform shortly before midnight Thursday that “billions of dollars in tariffs are now flowing” into the U.S.
References:
For more information:
The Vision Council can be reached at info@thevisioncouncil.org or X @opticalindustry. AOA President Jacqueline M. Bowen, OD, can be reached at president@aoa.org.
