European Med-Tech Stocks Fall After U.S. Opens Import Probe

By Billy Gray

European medical-technology stocks fell after the U.S. said it launched national security investigations into the import of medical products.

Shares in medical-equipment suppliers were among the biggest fallers in the Stoxx Europe 600. Denmark's Demant and Ambu were down 5.9% and 5%, respectively, in European afternoon trading Thursday. Meanwhile, Germany's Siemens Healthineers fell 4.2%, the Netherlands' Royal Philips dropped 3.3%, and Switzerland's Sonova traded 3% lower.

The U.S. Department of Commerce said Wednesday that it launched the probes on Sept. 2 to determine the effects on national security of imported medical goods.

The products being investigated include personal protective equipment such as surgical masks and respirators, medical consumables such as syringes, and equipment including wheelchairs, crutches and hospital beds. Additional devices under the probe include pacemakers, hearing aids, robotic prosthetics and MRI machines.

Pharmaceuticals including prescription drugs won't be included, but are being examined in a separate investigation, the department said.

The department is considering new tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which is meant to protect the U.S. from imported goods posing a national security threat. It previously used the Act to impose additional levies on cars and parts, aluminum, copper and steel.

A Siemens Healthineers spokeswoman said the company is analyzing the situation. The other companies didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

Write to Billy Gray at william.gray@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 25, 2025 09:05 ET (13:05 GMT)