US Imports Antibiotics and Pacemakers from EU
Potential Humanitarian Controversy May Arise
The British daily The Telegraph reported on the 10th (local time) that the European Union (EU) is considering export restrictions on essential medicines such as antibiotics in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats.
The Telegraph, citing European diplomatic sources, stated that discussions are underway within the EU about using such items to pressure the United States if President Donald Trump threatens Europe's military and economic security.
The Trump administration plans to impose a 25% tariff on all foreign steel and aluminum products starting from the 12th as previously announced, and has also signaled a policy of reciprocal tariffs.
The EU made conciliatory gestures by pledging to increase defense spending and expand arms purchases targeting the U.S., but when these efforts proved ineffective, it began considering restricting exports of essential medicines on which Europe is highly dependent. The U.S. mainly imports antibiotics, radiopharmaceuticals, and pacemakers from EU countries.
According to a 2021 report prepared by the EU Commission, there are 260 items on which the U.S. is essentially dependent on the EU. The list includes essential medicines such as antibiotics, pacemakers, and high-quality steel, The Telegraph reported.
A European diplomat emphasized, "Most radiopharmaceuticals are produced in Germany, without European machinery there would be no semiconductor boom, and high-quality steel is produced in Germany, not the U.S."
However, foreign media noted that using essential medicines as a card to pressure the U.S. could raise humanitarian concerns.
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