Trump Says Imported Robotics Pose Threat to U.S. National Security
President Donald Trump has declared that imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and related components pose a threat to U.S. national security, directing officials to negotiate with foreign governments to address the issue while leaving the door open to potential tariffs.
Trump signed a proclamation on October 28 following an investigation lasting more than a year. Under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, he instructed the Commerce Department and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to jointly pursue or continue negotiations with foreign trading partners to adjust imports and reduce the identified national security risks.
The president also reserved the option of imposing tariffs if negotiations fail to resolve the concerns. Officials must provide him with an update on the discussions within 180 days.
Trump launched the investigation in September 2025 to examine imports of robotics and industrial machinery, including programmable, computer-controlled mechanical systems.
According to the proclamation, robotics and industrial machinery play a critical role in supporting U.S. defense systems, all 16 sectors of critical infrastructure, and manufacturing operations across industries such as automobiles, electronics, metals, plastics, chemicals, and food and beverages.
In 2024, these industries accounted for approximately $7.1 trillion in manufactured-goods shipments and $86 billion in equipment production.
The investigation covered a wide range of industrial equipment, including machine tools used for cutting, welding, and handling materials, as well as autoclaves, industrial ovens, and laser- and water-cutting machinery.
The findings indicated that U.S. domestic production remains insufficient to meet demand despite recent investments in manufacturing facilities. As a result, the country continues to depend heavily on foreign suppliers for many types of robotics and industrial equipment.
The value of these imports has increased over the past decade and is expected to continue growing. The proclamation also warned that equipment supplied by certain foreign entities could create cybersecurity vulnerabilities because such technologies process and store sensitive information.
China has been rapidly expanding its robotics industry and promoting the sector through government-backed policies. Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimate that China's humanoid robotics market could reach $15 billion by 2030.
In July, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing potential national security concerns. Beijing criticized the move, accusing Washington of protectionism.
The restrictions also covered newly imported quadruped robots, commonly known as robotic dogs. The FCC said advanced foreign-made robots could create cybersecurity and other national security risks. It also warned that reliance on overseas manufacturing could expose American supply chains to disruptions.
According to technology research and advisory firm Omdia, approximately 15,000 humanoid robots were shipped worldwide in 2025. China's leading robotics manufacturers, Unitree and AGIBOT, each accounted for more than 5,000 shipments. By comparison, U.S. companies such as Tesla and Figure AI shipped only a few hundred units or fewer each.
The Pentagon has also placed Unitree and several other major Chinese technology companies on a list of businesses it says have links to or provide assistance to China's military. Beijing has rejected the allegations.
A White House fact sheet issued on October 28 described robotics and industrial machinery as essential to nearly every aspect of modern manufacturing, including defense, commercial production, and dual-use applications.
The document emphasized that almost all modern defense systems and critical infrastructure sectors depend on these technologies. It warned that without a stronger domestic manufacturing and technology base, the United States would remain heavily dependent on foreign suppliers for essential industrial equipment.