Justin Cooper , 2025-05-14 17:23:00
Key takeaways:
- The U.S. and China agreed to temporarily suspend tariffs announced since April 2.
- The 155% tariff on plastic spectacle frames will drop to 40%.
The U.S. and China reached an agreement that will temporarily lower the recent high tariffs on Chinese goods, including Chinese-origin eye wear products, according to a Vision Council press release.
Under the agreement, the overall tariffs on plastic spectacle frames are set to drop from 155% to 40%, according to the Vision Council.
The U.S. and China reached an agreement that will significantly lower the recent high tariffs on Chinese goods, including Chinese-origin eyewear products. Image: Adobe Stock
“This temporary reprieve is a welcome development for our members,” Ashley Mills, CEO of the Vision Council, said in the release. “Many of the products impacted by these tariffs — such as frames, lenses and essential manufacturing components — are integral to the U.S. vision industry. While the 90-day agreement provides some breathing room, uncertainty remains, and we continue to advocate for long-term policy solutions.”
The agreement, announced on May 12, involves the U.S. and China lowering their tariffs on each other for 90 days starting May 14, pending further negotiations.
According to a White House fact sheet, the U.S. will suspend new tariffs announced since April 2 while retaining previous tariffs, and China will suspend a 34% tariff announced on April 4 while retaining a 10% tariff. The U.S. is likewise levying a 10% tariff set to rise to 34% after 90 days.
According to the Vision Council, active U.S. tariffs on China now include:
- Most Favored Nation duties that vary by product;
- Section 301 duties, ranging from 7.5% to 25%;
- a 20% duty in response to the fentanyl crisis; and
- the temporary 10% duty, which will rise after 90 days.
In a statement to Healio, the American Optometric Association board of trustees highlighted that “tariffs impact optometry practices and the delivery of essential eye health and vision care.”
“The AOA will maintain a continuous dialogue regarding tariff policy with the White House, federal agency officials and members of Congress and will advise policy makers regarding any potential areas of harm to patients, doctors, critical medical devices, equipment and related supply chains and the overall health care delivery system,” the board said.
“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.”
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