U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation addressing imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and their parts and components. It was issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
The proclamation directs the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to jointly negotiate agreements with trading partners. The talks are intended to address a potential national security threat related to imports of these products from any country.
The Commerce Secretary will inform the president of circumstances that could indicate a need for further action under Section 232. Trump may also take other steps to adjust imports to eliminate the threat to U.S. national security.
The White House said robotics and industrial machinery are indispensable to modern manufacturing, including for defense, commercial and dual-use purposes. Nearly all modern defense systems and critical infrastructure sectors rely on robotics or industrial machinery.
Despite a recent surge in investment in U.S. manufacturing facilities, the country produces less robotics and industrial equipment than it consumes. Domestic capacity cannot meet rising demand, leaving the United States reliant on foreign imports for most types of these products.
The White House said continued reliance on foreign imports could threaten U.S. national security and the long-term competitiveness of an important industrial sector. The Trump administration has previously used Section 232 to impose or strengthen tariffs on goods including steel, aluminum, copper and automobiles.
