Trump says robotics and industrial machinery imports threaten national security but holds off on tariffs

WASHINGTON (Oct. 29) — President Donald Trump has determined that imports of robotics, industrial machinery and their parts threaten to impair U.S. national security, but he stopped short of imposing tariffs and instead ordered trade negotiations, according to a proclamation signed Wednesday.

The order, issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, accepts the Commerce Department's finding and directs the commerce secretary and the U.S. trade representative to pursue agreements with trading partners and update him on their progress within 180 days. If no agreement is reached or the deals prove ineffective, the president may take other steps, including tariffs, duties, quotas or fees, according to a White House fact sheet.

The Commerce Department opened the investigation in September 2025. It covered programmable robotic systems, stamping and pressing machines, cutting and welding tools, autoclaves, industrial ovens, and laser and water-cutting tools, Reuters reported. For now, the decision spares U.S. manufacturers, which rely on imports for most types of such machines, Reuters said.

The proclamation says robotics and industrial machinery support important economic activity, including about $7.1 trillion in shipments of manufactured goods and the production of about $86 billion worth of equipment in 2024. Bloomberg Law described the move as a delay of possible tariffs in favor of more talks.

The decision follows other steps on Chinese-made equipment. In July, the Federal Communications Commission barred new models of Chinese-made robots and power inverters, Reuters reported.