Georgia Life Sciences Statement on U.S. Tariff Announcement

Updates: Since this statement was made, the administration announced, April 9, a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. See the AdvaMed  CEO statement on this change. GLS aligns with this statement.


April 3, 2025

The recent U.S. tariff announcement has sent ripples through the life sciences, biotech, and MedTech industries, raising concerns about its potential impact on innovation, manufacturing, and global supply chains. While some sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, have been temporarily exempt from these new tariffs, the uncertainty surrounding future trade policies remains a significant challenge for our industry.

 

These tariffs—set to take effect on April 5—include a base 10% tariff on all countries, with reciprocal tariffs reaching up to 50% on certain nations. There are growing concerns that these measures could increase costs for life-saving medical technologies, disrupt supply chains, and hinder job growth. Additionally, the agricultural biotech sector will likely be affected immediately, particularly with higher tariffs on non-USMCA-compliant goods. Pharmaceuticals, while currently exempt, may face their own tariffs in the near future, pending a potential Section 232 investigation into pharmaceutical manufacturing and national security.

 

Georgia’s life sciences ecosystem thrives on innovation, investment, and global collaboration. Our industry depends on stable, predictable trade policies that support growth, not policies that introduce uncertainty and additional financial burdens. We must ensure that trade policies protect patients, support manufacturers, and sustain the broader biotech and MedTech economy.

 

Georgia Life Sciences will continue to monitor these developments in partnership with our national associations and work closely with our members and policymakers to ensure our industry’s voice is heard. We encourage our community to stay engaged and share any concerns about how these tariffs may impact your businesses, workforce, and supply chains.

 

For questions or to provide input on how these policies affect your organization, please reach out to our team.

Georgia Life Sciences Joins National Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Key Innovation Policies

December 10, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences has joined 43 state and regional life sciences organizations in signing a national Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) letter calling on Congress to take immediate action on three bipartisan policy priorities that are essential to sustaining U.S. leadership in biomedical innovation and supporting patients nationwide. With Congress back in session and several critical programs at risk of expiring, the letter urges congressional leaders to advance the following provisions without delay: 1. Reauthorize the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher (PPRV) Program The PPRV program has been instrumental in incentivizing the development of therapies for children with rare and life-threatening conditions. Its lapse threatens to slow or halt research that families across the country are counting on. 2. Extend the SBIR/STTR Programs The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide crucial early-stage capital for emerging biotech and medtech companies—many of them in Georgia. Without reauthorization, hundreds of innovative small businesses face uncertainty, jeopardizing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies in the pipeline, 3. Advance PBM Transparency Reforms Greater transparency and accountability within pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices are needed to ensure that savings reach patients and employers. Reforming PBM operations is essential to strengthening access and affordability across the healthcare system. A Unified Message from the Life Sciences Community The sign-on letter reflects broad, bipartisan alignment across the national life sciences ecosystem: researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, patient advocates, and state associations all share a common message— these programs underpin America’s global competitiveness and are vital to patients who rely on continued scientific progress. Georgia Life Sciences has shared the letter with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation and will continue engaging with policymakers to emphasize the importance of swift action.

GLS Joins Georgia Partners in Calling for Federal PBM Reform

December 7, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences is proud to stand with patient advocates, providers, and employers across the state in urging Congress to take meaningful action on pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. We recently signed on to a joint letter to Georgia’s Congressional Delegation stressing the urgent need for transparency, fair practices, and policies that ensure savings flow directly to patients.

GLS’ President and CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe in December's issue of Georgia Trend

December 4, 2025
Georgia Life Sciences’ CEO, Maria Thacker Goethe shares her perspective on the value of Georgia’s research universities in this month’s issue of Georgia Trend. “Georgia research institutions have felt a very significant impact from the federal rollbacks, specifically in NIH and NSF funding. Thacker Goethe’s message about the impact of research cuts is simple: Disruption shatters the foundational trust researchers have in grant continuity….” To read the full article, click here .
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