The U.S. is considering putting a tariff on robots in an effort to compete more effectively with China. Source: Generative AI via Adobe Stock
This week, the U.S. Department of Commerce said it has opened investigations into the import of robotics, industrial machinery, personal protective equipment, and medical devices. Under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, the federal agency began the investigation into goods on which President Donald J. Trump can impose a tariff in the name of national security.
“For the purpose of this investigation ‘robotics and industrial machinery’ includes, among other things, robots and programmable, computer-controlled mechanical systems,” stated the notice of request for public comments. “This equipment spans CNC machining centers, turning and milling machines, grinding and deburring equipment, and industrial stamping and pressing machines. It also includes automatic tool changers, jigs and fixtures, and machine tools for cutting, welding, and handling work pieces.”
The proposed tariff goal is to encourage domestic manufacturing and foreign investment in U.S. production of everything from CNC machines to facemasks and syringes. The current administration has already planned tariffs on metals, pharmaceuticals, furniture, and vehicles, particularly those from China. Trade with the European Union, Japan, Canada, and Mexico has also been affected.
The Section 232 investigation began on Sept. 2 but was not immediately announced.
How can the U.S. catch up to China?
At robotics events in Boston this week, The Robot Report spoke with several startup founders about the proposed tariff. They all noted that most of the world’s industrial automation is supplied by Asian and European companies and that U.S. companies need access to it and quality components for reshoring to happen.
It will take time for the U.S. to rebuild its own manufacturing capacity, they said. The recent increase in H-1B visa fees also threatens to force skilled workers from around the world to look elsewhere as the U.S. already suffers talent shortages, added the executives.
China already uses more robots than the rest of the world, reported the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) yesterday. At the same time, major robotics providers have begun increasing production in the U.S., the third-largest market after China and Japan.
China has five times more operational stock of industrial robots than the U.S. Source: IFR
Robotics leaders question tariff tactics
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is working on a formal response, wrote Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, in a LinkedIn post. “One thought-starter: If significant new tariffs are imposed on all imported robots, will this impact U.S. efforts to reshore manufacturing?” he asked.
“It is good to have robot manufacturing in the U.S. like FANUC America Corp.’s paint robots and ABB Robotics‘ robot assembly both in Michigan,” replied Robert Little, chief of robotics strategy at Novanta Inc. and an A3 board member. “But we are seeing robotic products coming out of China 1/2 to 1/3 the price of standard robotics. Is this OK? You could look at it as competition, or you can recognize this as a long-term issue for our supply chain.”
“Manufacturing needs reliable and low-cost robotics and machines,” he added. “The U.S. needs a reliable long-term supply chain. We need to thread that needle.”
Little also posted: “We should expand U.S. robotics manufacturing, both by existing leaders and startups.
- We must protect against unfair trade practices that could wipe out reliable suppliers.
- At the same time, U.S. industry must stay supplied — today much of that comes from secure nations like Japan. Incentives to produce more here should be on the table.”
Georg Stieler is head of robotics and automation at Stieler Technology & Market Advisory. He leads the high-tech manufacturing consultancy’s China practice.
“The tariffs hit robot and machine manufacturers in an already difficult period — the recession in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, and price pressure from Chinese competition are headwinds for the established players,” said Stieler. “In the mid- to long term, the U.S. administration might achieve its goal of reshoring industrial robot production.”
“But it will take additional measures and strong efforts to build up a competitive mechatronics ecosystem,” he said. “In the short term, the tariffs will slow down automation as some projects might not be economically viable anymore.”
Felix Brockmeyer, CEO of igus inc., had already expressed concern about potential tariffs at Automate in May. The maker of motion plastic has global headquarters in Germany and recently expanded its U.S. headquarters in Rumford, R.I.
“From my point of view, the intent of tariffs is not working,” Brockmeyer told The Robot Report. “Five years ago, we started expanding manufacturing in the U.S.A. heavily — we invested buildings, equipment. Many new local jobs are tied to these investments.”
“We now have the critical materials needed that we cannot get in the U.S.A., but tariffs make them expansive, and ultimately, the customer bears the cost,” he added. “If we ‘eat’ the margin losses from higher costs, we have to question the feasibility of manufacturing in the U.S.A., which in return means we don’t expand here, and customers have to buy European or international made parts that they have to import for higher costs, which in turn drives inflation.”
“Equipment to build factories is being tariffed, material is being tariffed, [and] local sources do not exist yet for most items, which is understandable,” Brockmeyer said. “It took the U.S.A. 20 years to ‘lose’ manufacturing jobs, and it will take years to slowly bring them back. We are not able to bring jobs to the U.S.A. within a month!”
He also cited higher material costs and wages in the U.S., which are forcing companies like his to pause their U.S. expansion plans. Brockmeyer observed that the tariffs could lead to companies moving production to Canada, Mexico, or Asia.
Editor’s note: Burnstein and Stieler will be on a panel on “Closing the Robotics Gap With China” at RoboBusiness 2025, which will be on Oct. 15 and 16 in Santa Clara, Calif. Register now to attend.
Tariff comment period is now open
The Commerce Department’s Industry and Security Bureau has requested public comment on the proposed tariff: “Interested parties are invited to submit written comments, data, analyses, or information pertinent to this investigation to BIS’s Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security no later than October 17, 2025.”
“Comments on this notice may be submitted to the Federal rulemaking portal at: www.regulations.gov,” it added. “The regulations.gov ID for this notice is BIS-2025-0257. Please refer to XRIN 0694-XC138 in all comments.”
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