The United States is opening trade talks over imported factory robots after President Donald Trump declared the imports a national security threat. His October 28 proclamation gives the negotiations 180 days and warns that tariffs or other measures could follow if no agreements are reached.
Why industrial robots are in focus
The proclamation links industrial robots and machinery to both military production and the wider economy. It describes them as important to producing US military weapon systems and as a “driving force” behind critical infrastructure sectors.
An investigation under US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick is cited as finding that robot imports pose risks to the US industrial base and its long-term competitiveness. It also identified potential security and safety concerns, including cybersecurity vulnerabilities that could have severe consequences.
The stated concerns extend scrutiny to a category of machines that had been treated differently in an earlier federal action. In July 2026, the Federal Communications Commission banned new models of some foreign-made robots, including robotic vacuums, robot dogs and humanoid robots. Industrial robot arms and other fixed or stationary machines used in factories and warehouses were exempted from that action.
Trade talks could lead to tariffs
The proclamation directs the United States and its trading partners to work toward agreements adjusting imports of robotics, industrial machinery and their components. The target is to reach agreements within 180 days of the proclamation’s date.
If negotiations fail to produce agreements by then, the president says he may take further steps. The options named include tariffs, duties, quotas and fees. The proclamation does not say that any of these measures have already been imposed.
Any tariff or fee would be paid by US companies importing the equipment. That could add to the cost of manufacturing operations that use foreign-made robots, even as the government seeks to address dependence on imported machinery.
US manufacturers rely on overseas suppliers
Industrial robots are already widely used in the United States. The International Federation of Robotics reported nearly 38,500 new US installations in 2025, making the country the second largest market for industrial robot use.
Major manufacturers in automotive and aerospace often purchase large factory-floor robotic arms from FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa and KUKA. Those companies are headquartered in Japan, Switzerland and Germany. The source says no US company currently offers comparable heavy-duty hardware for large industrial arms, although foreign manufacturers have been expanding their US engineering and assembly facilities.
That reliance also reaches beyond traditional factory buyers. Amazon uses some foreign-made equipment, including FANUC robotic arms from Japan, even after expanding its own robot production and developing specialized arms.
The proclamation itself acknowledges the gap: US robotics companies do not produce enough industrial robots to meet national security needs, and the country relies on foreign imports for most types of robotics, industrial machinery and components. This dependence helps explain why a policy meant to reduce security risks could also affect companies' access to equipment.
What manufacturers may face next
The immediate next step is negotiation, while the prospect of tariffs creates uncertainty for companies planning factory operations or equipment purchases. If import costs rise, businesses that depend on overseas robotic systems could face higher expenses. The source does not specify how any future tariffs would be structured or which products they would cover.
Tariffs would still leave imports possible, unlike a complete restriction. The article notes that Intel recently received waivers from the Trump administration to keep using foreign-made robots despite a nominal ban. That example suggests exceptions may be available, though the proclamation does not spell out a waiver process for industrial robots.
For manufacturers, the policy's practical effect will depend on whether talks produce agreements and whether the administration later imposes fees or other limits. For now, the proclamation signals increased government scrutiny of foreign-made factory robots while underscoring the domestic supply shortfall it seeks to address.