Tempest in a Tariff: What is the impact on Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine?

Kirsten Cowan, Energy Matters Clinic Manager

Recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have shaken many aspects of the global economy, and are especially impacting Americans, in our retirement funds, our small businesses, and our access to vital items.

In the world of Traditional East Asian Medicine, we have been dealing with vastly increased tariffs since the first Trump term, and recent pronouncements have led to shocking rates of up to 245% on items imported from China. This means American importers have to pay the cost of the item and an additional double or triple tax in order to receive their goods, before they can make them available to buyers like our clinic, increasing the end price for patients tremendously.

At Energy Matters, we source our acupuncture needles and supplies primarily from Japan and Korea, but nearly all of our herbal products originate in China or are manufactured in Taiwan or the United States, with herbs grown in China. Last year, I wrote about herb sourcing and why it’s not possible for us to ‘go local’ when it comes to this powerful medicine.

Many of our suppliers have committed to short-term price freezes, and imported extra stock before the tariffs were imposed to soften the impact and allow more time for lobbying and negotiation, both by American companies and our international trade partners. We’re beyond grateful to these companies.

The Chinese Herbal Medicine community is closely-knit, with even our largest suppliers being relatively small businesses, whose owners and employees we know and have worked with for decades. Thanks to their efforts, we have not had to increase prices for herbs at Energy Matters.

Current lobbying aims to add an exception to the tariffs for Chinese Herbal Medicine, as was granted to vitamin and supplement manufacturers on some of their key ingredients. To show public support and demand for this exemption, Lhasa OMS, one of the oldest American East Asian Medicine suppliers, has started a petition, which you can sign here. You can also contact your federal representative to share your concern and the impact of these tariffs on our communities and your health.

As we move through uncertainty together, we are truly feeling the power of community; from farmers, to pharmacists, importers, formulators, vendors, fellow acupuncturists, our professional organizations, schools, and perhaps most importantly, YOU, our patients whose lives have been transformed by the power of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

If you have questions or thoughts, please email me, and we will continue to share as we know more.