Trump directs trade talks on robotics and industrial machinery imports

President Donald Trump has chosen to pursue trade negotiations rather than impose tariffs on imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and their components, according to Manufacturing Dive and Supply Chain Dive.

This directive, signed in a proclamation, instructs Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to negotiate with trading partners to reduce U.S. dependence on these imports and to report progress within 180 days.

The order follows a Section 232 investigation launched in September 2025, which found that the U.S. produces fewer robotics and industrial equipment than needed and lacks sufficient domestic capacity to meet demand. The investigation also highlighted risks to the U.S. manufacturing base, national security, and economic well-being due to high import reliance.

This marks the third time in the past three months that Trump has opted for trade talks after Section 232 probes instead of immediately imposing tariffs. Earlier actions included similar directives on wind turbine imports and trade negotiations on commercial aircraft, jet engines, and semiconductor imports.

Cabinet officials were previously expected to update the president on these ongoing trade discussions by July 1, reflecting a shift from earlier tariff-focused approaches.