Trump declares factory robot imports a national security threat
President Donald Trump has declared imports of foreign-made factory robots a national security threat, the White House and Ars Technica report. His order calls for talks with trading partners over the next 180 days. If no deals are reached, he may put tariffs, fees or quotas on the robots.
President Donald Trump has declared imports of foreign-made factory robots a national security threat, the White House and Ars Technica report. The order calls for talks with trading partners and leaves room for new tariffs later, the outlet reports.
The proclamation was issued October 28. It says factory robots and machines are key to making US weapons and to running vital parts of the economy, Ars Technica reports. It cites a Commerce Department review that found the imports pose "risks to the United States industrial base," the outlet reports.
The order sets a goal of new trade deals within 180 days, Ars Technica reports. If no deals are reached by then, the president may add "tariffs, duties, quotas, and fees" on the imports, the proclamation warns.
Big US firms that rely on such robots include General Motors, Ford, Tesla, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, Ars Technica reports. Many buy large robot arms from four makers based in Japan, Switzerland and Germany, the outlet reports. No US company now makes similar heavy-duty arms, Ars Technica says. Any tariffs would be paid by the US firms that import them.
The order itself admits that US robot makers do not build enough to "meet national security needs," Ars Technica reports. In July, the Federal Communications Commission banned new foreign-made consumer robots such as robot vacuums, but it left out factory robot arms, the outlet reports.
The US was the second-largest market for factory robots in 2025, with nearly 38,500 new ones put in, Ars Technica reports, citing a robotics trade group.
What we know: Trump has ordered trade talks on factory robots and warned of tariffs after 180 days.
What we don't: Whether deals will be reached and how much any tariffs would cost US firms.
Where outlets agree The White House proclamation and Ars Technica say Trump declared foreign-made factory robot imports a national security threat and ordered trade talks.
Where they differ The proclamation cites risks to the US industrial base, while Ars Technica reports no US company makes similar heavy-duty arms and any tariffs would fall on US importers.