Healthcare Industry 2025 Foreign Trade Day: A strong healthcare industry needs open markets without customs barriers
Around 300 representatives of the medical technology, pharmaceutical and laboratory technology sectors and politicians met at the Federal Foreign Office / Geopolitical challenges, export barriers and global health responsibility as key topics
More than 300 representatives from the fields of medical technology, pharmaceuticals and laboratory technology as well as politics and diplomacy came together today at the Federal Foreign Office for the Healthcare 2025 Foreign Trade Day. In times of growing geopolitical tensions and increasing protectionist tendencies, the participants discussed how the industrial healthcare sector can maintain and expand its role as the backbone of global healthcare. The event was organized by the Federal Foreign Office, SPECTARIS and the GHA – German Health Alliance, together with Pharma Deutschland, vfa, ZVEI and Germany Trade & Invest with the Health Export Initiative.
The devastating effects of the new US punitive tariffs on the industrial healthcare sector were discussed intensively. The associations are calling for a diplomatic solution to protect international supply chains and technological progress. SPECTARIS Managing Director Jörg Mayer summarized a key message of the day: „An internationally competitive healthcare industry needs active political support, which will help export-oriented SMEs in particular. The aim must be to quickly conclude more free trade agreements in order to secure market access, dismantle protectionist localization requirements and reduce regulatory hurdles. The harmonization of technical standards, the protection of intellectual property and fair public procurement systems play a key role here.“ The efficiency of export control procedures was also intensively discussed. The industry is calling for noticeable improvements in BAFA processing times in order to ensure planning security.
The participants from the industry reaffirmed their willingness to take responsibility for the global healthcare industry: „The German industrial healthcare industry can actively contribute to closing global supply gaps and sustainably strengthening healthcare systems. To do so, however, it needs effective framework conditions and targeted support from the German government. The implementation of multi-sectoral healthcare partnerships is particularly promising. They combine the strengths of politics, industry, NGOs, science and research and thus make a decisive contribution to improving healthcare in developing and emerging countries as well as to diversifying markets,“ emphasizes Roland Göhde, Chairman of the German Health Alliance.
The topic of diversification through strategic partnerships was identified as an important component of a future-oriented foreign trade policy. Formats such as the BMWK’s Healthcare Industry Round Table were highlighted as a positive example of the necessary structured exchange between politics and industry.
The Foreign Trade Day clearly showed that the healthcare industry is prepared to take responsibility and make its contribution to global healthcare – but it needs a coordinated, reliable foreign trade policy that is actively shaped.
The Healthcare Industry 2025 Foreign Trade Day took place for the tenth time at the Federal Foreign Office.
The GHA – German Health Alliance is an initiative of the BDI and is aimed at internationally active companies and organizations in the healthcare sector. It consists of more than 100 leading German players from industry, NGOs, science & research and governmental development organizations and has a global business and political network. It supports its members in gaining access to international markets and represents their political interests vis-à-vis governments and international organizations in the areas of internationalization, global health and development cooperation. To this end, members have access to a variety of exclusive exchange formats and working groups on all regions of the world. Members receive access to comprehensive market information for their projects and become part of a network of experts with whom they can exchange ideas in a confidential setting. The GHA’s work also focuses on expertise in systemic strategies for strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the target countries and improving access to high-quality healthcare services. Innovation and partnerships are key drivers for the activities of the GHA and its members.