United States calls imported robotics and industrial machinery a national security risk under Section 232

28 October 2026

The President of the United States has issued a proclamation adjusting imports of robotics and industrial machinery, together with their parts and components.
It rests on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the law that lets the United States restrict imports on national security grounds.
The Secretary of Commerce found that these goods come in on terms that threaten to impair national security, and the President agreed.
The finding says domestic output does not meet national security needs and that foreign equipment can carry cybersecurity risk, since such systems handle sensitive data.
Robotics and machinery support defence production and all 16 critical infrastructure sectors.
Instead of fixing duties now, the proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to pursue talks with trading partners.
Tariffs, quotas, fees and an investment incentive programme are left open for later.
A progress report is due within 180 days.