Presidential Actions
ADJUSTING IMPORTS OF ROBOTICS, INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY, AND THEIR PARTS AND COMPONENTS INTO THE UNITED STATES
Proclamations
October 28, 2026
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
1.
Within the past 90 days, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of robotics and industrial machinery, as well as their parts and components (together, components), on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232).
Based on the facts considered in that investigation, and taking into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security and other relevant factors, see section 232(d) (19 U.S.C. 1862(d)), the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that robotics, industrial machinery, and their components are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.
2.
Nearly all modern defense systems and critical infrastructure sectors require the use of robotics or industrial machinery to function or be manufactured effectively and efficiently.
Robotics and industrial machinery are critical to virtually all modern manufacturing processes, including for defense, commercial, and dual-use purposes.
Robotics and industrial machinery enable defense readiness and design, production, and sustainment activities across a wide range of defense applications.
Furthermore, robotics and industrial machinery generate substantial economic value and support important economic activities, including approximately $7.1 trillion in shipments of manufactured goods in 2024 and the production of approximately $86 billion worth of equipment in 2024.
3.
The Secretary found that robotics and industrial machinery support the production of essential, state-of-the-art defense systems, such as aircraft, tanks, ships, weapons, and munitions, as well as certain military and law enforcement activities.
For example, advanced robots — such as autonomous robots, humanoid and quadruped robots, and autonomous ground vehicles — provide combat support to the United States military, including by conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions and by handling dangerous tasks, such as casualty extraction and mine detection and clearing.
Robotics and industrial machinery also enable the defense industry to automate the building of essential defense products, such as missiles, aircraft, and ships, allowing production activities to last longer and for repetitive tasks to be performed with minimal error.