LEIPZIG, Germany: Fourth-quarter results from the world’s largest dental manufacturers showed signs of improved sales in North America, where lagging consumer trends had constrained profits and patient flows in the first nine months of 2024. However, for global dental manufacturers who rely on cross-border shipments, 2025 may be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire. US President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war has cast doubt on further market improvements. According to a coalition of dental industry groups, Trump’s tariffs will increase running costs for dental clinics and result in fewer patients seeking oral care.