Trump defers robot tariffs and orders 180-day talks with trading partners after Section 232 finding

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Oct. 28 concurring with the Secretary of Commerce's finding that robotics, industrial machinery and their parts and components are imported "in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States."

He imposed no tariffs that day. Instead he directed the Secretary of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to negotiate agreements with any trading partners they deem appropriate and to update him on progress within 180 days. The proclamation says that depending on the status or outcome of those talks he "may consider alternative remedies in the future, including imposing or modifying tariffs, duties, quotas, and fees; and establishing a program to incentivize new investment in United States production of robotics and industrial machinery." Section 232 also allows action if an agreement is not entered into within 180 days, is not being carried out, or proves ineffective. The tariff step is deferred, not ruled out.

The probe covered machine tools, industrial ovens and cutting equipment

Reuters reported that the investigation, opened in September 2025, covered programmable computer-controlled mechanical systems, industrial stamping and pressing machines, machine tools for cutting, welding and handling workpieces, autoclaves and industrial ovens, and laser and water-cutting tools and machinery.

Commerce found that the US relies on foreign imports for most types of robotics and industrial machinery and their components, that the value of those imports rose over the past decade and is projected to keep rising, and that the country produces less robotics and industrial equipment than it consumes. The proclamation states that robotics and industrial machinery "routinely process and store sensitive data" and, when sourced from certain foreign entities, "can pose significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities." It also says advanced robots such as autonomous robots, humanoid and quadruped robots, and autonomous ground vehicles give combat support to the US military, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty extraction, and mine detection and clearing. The sector supported about $7.1 trillion in shipments of manufactured goods in 2024 and the production of about $86 billion worth of equipment that year, according to the proclamation.

The FCC barred new models of Chinese robots in July

In July the Federal Communications Commission barred imports of new models of Chinese robots and power inverters while allowing existing models of humanoid and quadruped robots to be imported, and the FCC said robots "collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans," Reuters reported. Other goods have already drawn Section 232 tariffs under this administration: the White House fact sheet says it has used the measure to impose or strengthen tariffs on steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, trucks, timber and lumber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, polysilicon and drones. Reuters also noted that the decision spares US manufacturers, which rely on foreign imports for most robotics and industrial machinery, from immediate new tariffs.

Commerce and the USTR owe the President an update on the talks within 180 days, that is by April 26, 2027, and Commerce keeps monitoring imports and can flag the need for further action.