Trump Says Imported Robotics Pose National Security Risks but Does Not Impose Tariffs

Summary

President Donald Trump determined that imported robotics and machinery present national security risks but decided against immediate tariffs. Instead, he ordered officials to negotiate with foreign governments on import levels, allowing existing humanoid and quadruped robots to be imported while barring new models of Chinese robots and power inverters following an FCC rule. The Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative are directed to report back in 180 days on the status of talks, with the possibility of future tariffs if negotiations fail. The probe covers various industrial machinery including machine tools, autoclaves, laser cutting tools, and programmable computer-controlled mechanical systems.

Editorial context

The article reports on a policy decision by the U.S. administration to initiate negotiations regarding imported robotics rather than immediately imposing tariffs, citing national security concerns about data collection and remote command capabilities.

Source: Robotics — Web news discovery · Read original article ↗

Article text · Original source · English

WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump found on ‌Wednesday that imported robotics and machinery pose national security risks but did not impose any immediate tariffs, ‌instead ordering officials to hold talks with foreign ⁠governments on import levels.

The decision spares U.S. manufacturers, which rely on foreign imports for most types of robotics and industrial machinery, from immediate new tariffs, but leaves open the threat of duties if talks with trading partners ⁠fall short.

Following a more than year-long probe, Trump directed the Commerce Department and U.S. Trade Representative to jointly negotiate agreements with trading partners to address concerns about imported robotics and industrial machinery, and said he could still impose tariffs at a later date.

He directed the agencies ‌to report ⁠back in 180 days on the status of the talks with trading partners.

Trump in September 2025 opened the ‌probe to review imported robotics and industrial machinery like programmable computer-controlled mechanical systems and industrial stamping and pressing machines.

The robotics probe covered machine tools for cutting, welding, and handling workpieces, autoclaves and industrial ovens. Laser and water-cutting tools and machinery are also included.

The Federal Communications Commission in July barred imports of new models of Chinese robots and power inverters. The rule ⁠allows existing models of humanoid and quadruped robots to be imported.

Robots "collect ⁠data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence ‌services, or to remotely commandeer the robots," the FCC said in July.

The Commerce Department said the United States relies on foreign imports for most types of ‌robotics and industrial machinery.

In July, Commerce completed a probe into imported commercial aircraft, ⁠jet engines and parts and found foreign goods raise national security concerns.