President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday finding that imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and their parts and components threaten U.S. national security and directing officials to hold talks with foreign governments to address the threat.
Following a more than year-long probe, the president directed the Commerce Department and the U.S. Trade Representative to jointly pursue or continue negotiations with foreign trading partners to adjust imports of these items so they no longer pose such a threat, adding that he could impose tariffs later. He must receive updates on the talks within 180 days.
Trump in September 2025 opened the probe to review imported robotics and industrial machinery, including programmable computer-controlled mechanical systems and industrial stamping and pressing machines.
Robotics and industrial machinery support defense systems, all 16 U.S. critical infrastructure sectors, and manufacturing processes in the automotive, electronics, metals, plastics, chemicals, and food and beverage industries, according to the proclamation. They supported roughly $7.1 trillion in manufactured-goods shipments and $86 billion in equipment production in 2024.
The probe covered machine tools for cutting, welding, and handling workpieces, as well as autoclaves and industrial ovens. Laser and water-cutting tools and machinery are also included.
It found that domestic output falls short of demand despite recent factory investments, leaving the country reliant on foreign sources for most types of these goods. Import values have climbed over the past decade and are expected to keep rising. Equipment from certain foreign entities can also pose cybersecurity risks because the technology processes and stores sensitive data, according to the proclamation.
China has been rapidly expanding the use of robots, with policies supporting its technology sector. Morgan Stanley analysts forecast China’s humanoid market could reach $15 billion by 2030.
In July, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks. Beijing accused the United States of protectionism.
The FCC ban also covered new imports of quadruped robots, often called four-legged robot dogs. The agency said at the time that advanced robot imports pose cybersecurity and other national security risks. Offshore production of such equipment also leaves U.S. supply chains vulnerable to disruptions.
Of about 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, Unitree and AGIBOT, two of China’s largest advanced robotics companies, each shipped more than 5,000. Their U.S. counterparts, such as Tesla and Figure AI, each shipped a few hundred or fewer, according to technology research and advisory group Omdia.
The Pentagon included Unitree and several other major Chinese technology companies on its list of firms it said have ties to, or aid, the Chinese military. Beijing has rejected that claim.
A White House fact sheet released on Wednesday described the technologies as “indispensable to virtually all modern manufacturing, including for defense, commercial, and dual-use purposes.” Nearly all modern defense systems and critical infrastructure sectors require them. Without a stronger domestic ecosystem, the fact sheet said, the industrial base will continue to depend on foreign imports.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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