As a global healthcare company with sales outside of the U.S. making up approximately 61 percent of Abbott’s net sales in 2025, Abbott’s business is subject to geopolitical and macroeconomic risks that are beyond its control. These risks include the enactment of trade protection measures such as tariffs, import or export licensing requirements, other governmental restrictions such as trade sanctions, and changes to international trade agreements; government actions such as price controls, limitations on participation in local enterprises, expropriation, and nationalization; restrictions on local currency conversion and/or cash extraction; changes in inflation (including the cost of raw materials, labor, commodities, and supplies) and interest rates; and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Abbott is also subject to other geopolitical risks, such as war, political and geopolitical instability, terrorist attacks and related military action.
For example, the global economy has been impacted by geopolitical tensions focused on trade, which has increased uncertainty for global businesses such as Abbott. The U.S. government has imposed tariffs on imports into the U.S., and it may impose additional tariffs in the future. Some countries may retaliate with trade protection measures, including reciprocal tariffs. These tariffs or other trade protection measures could have a negative impact on macroeconomic conditions, including inflation rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates, as well as causing potential disruptions to Abbott’s global supply chain, which could adversely affect its business. Additionally, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has resulted in sanctions, economic and currency volatility, higher inflation, heightened cybersecurity risks, and operational and supply chain disruptions. To date, Abbott has been able to manage these disruptions without material impact to its results of operations. However, it is difficult to predict the future implications and consequences of the conflict on local, regional, or global economies and Abbott’s operations