Last week, The Vision Council and several U.S. eyewear manufacturers met with senior officials at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to discuss how current tariffs are affecting the competitiveness of American optical businesses and increasing costs for patients.
Representatives from USTR included Marshall Stallings, Director for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, and Sarah Short, Director for Industrial Trade Policy. The Vision Council delegation featured CEO Ashley Mills; Senior Manager of Government Relations Omar Elkhatib; Modern Optical owners Ken and Paula Weissman; and Thema Optical North America CEO Giulia Valmassoi.
Ashley Mills noted that tariffs continue to place pressure across the supply chain, from manufacturers to labs to retailers, suppressing growth and raising costs for consumers. “We are committed to working with federal partners to create policies that strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduce costs for patients, and ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality vision care,” she said.
Industry Leaders Outline Tariff Impacts
During the meeting, participating companies detailed how tariffs on raw materials, parts, and finished goods are limiting expansion, hiring, and product development. The added costs, they noted, are particularly challenging for small and family-owned manufacturers competing in a global marketplace.
The Vision Council highlighted the strong potential of U.S. eyewear production to support job creation, export growth, and sustainable manufacturing, especially as more companies integrate AI-driven technologies to enhance production efficiency. The group also advocated for improvements to “Made in USA” labeling policies to better support companies that invest in domestic manufacturing.
Key Issues Discussed
• Rising patient costs: Out-of-pocket eyewear expenses have increased by approximately 10% this year, pushing consumers toward lower-cost offshore online retailers.
• Health impacts of delayed care: With more than 61% of Americans relying on prescription eyewear, rising prices risk delaying essential corrective care linked to diabetes, hypertension, depression, and fall risk.
• Effects on vulnerable groups: Seniors, children, and Medicaid beneficiaries face the greatest challenges as higher costs strain programs serving low-income or medically fragile populations.
• Regulatory inconsistencies: Uneven tariff treatment across Class I medical devices has created uncertainty and added cost burdens for manufacturers.
• Strengthening domestic production: Companies investing in U.S. manufacturing emphasized how tariff relief could accelerate onshoring efforts and improve supply-chain resilience.
The Vision Council also requested guidance on federal tools that could support long-term industry growth and workforce development.
Giulia Valmassoi commented on the constructive dialogue: “I truly appreciated how open and receptive the USTR representatives were during our discussion. I’m grateful to The Vision Council for ensuring that the voices of American manufacturers are heard.”
Resources for Members Navigating Tariffs
The Vision Council offers several supports for companies affected by tariffs, including:
• Regulatory and tariff guidance
• Federal policy and advocacy assistance
• Member alerts and issue briefings
• Research and economic-impact data
• Direct support for assessing tariff exposure
The organization continues to advocate for policies that strengthen access to vision care and the competitiveness of the domestic optical industry. More information is available at thevisioncouncil.org.
Source : The Vision Council
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