Optical Industry Waits Out Trade Talks and Braces for Further Tariff Changes

NEWARK-N.J.—With the ground still shifting under its feet, the optical industry continues to endure uncertainty in the face of ever-changing tariff rates. Over the weekend, major media outlets reported that a trade deal had been inked with the European Union that would subject most imports to a 15 percent penalty, half of the 30 percent that had been expected to take effect on Friday, August 1. Just days earlier, a deal was inked with Japan, also a major U.S. trading partner, that downgrades expected penalties on imports from a threatened 25 percent to 15 percent. Both rates are expected to take effect on August 1.