The American Medical Manufacturers Association (AMMA) has urged Washington to reject Malaysia’s request for special tariff exemptions on rubber gloves, warning that such carve‑outs would harm US jobs and supply chain resilience.
AMMA, representing US producers of medical supplies and PPE, called on the Trump administration to keep the proposed 25% tariff on imports—including those from Malaysia, despite lobbying from Malaysia’s glove industry.
“There is no justification for carve‑outs or special treatment when domestic manufacturers can meet the needs of our health care and frontline workers,” said AMMA executive director Eric Axel.
Axel criticised a letter from the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association that warned higher tariffs would disrupt US healthcare access and raise costs, calling it fear‑mongering based on a false premise.
AMMA also highlighted Malaysia’s limited market access policies and its closer ties with BRICS as concerns.
US glove companies operating in Malaysia voiced support. Maxter Healthcare’s Donny Chan said the firm’s US$350 million Texas facility proves the future of US medical supply manufacturing “is in the USA.” Nephron Nitrile CEO Alison Bagwell added: “If you want access to the US market, you play by the same rules—quality, transparency and accountability.”
