No Section 232 Tariffs on Robotics and Industrial Machinery

President Trump has declined to impose Section 232 tariffs on imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and their parts and components.

Trump made this decision despite the Department of Commerce’s determination in its Section 232 investigation that these goods are being imported under such circumstances as to threaten to impair U.S. national security. Among other things the DOC concluded that the U.S. relies on foreign imports for most types of robotics and industrial machinery and their components, that the value of such imports has increased over the last decade and is projected to continue to increase, and that these goods when sourced from foreign entities can pose significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. 

However, instead of imposing Section 232 tariffs on such imports, the president instead directed the DOC and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to pursue or continue the negotiation of agreements with foreign trading partners to adjust imports. These agencies will update the president on the progress of these talks within 180 days, and depending on their status or outcome the president may consider alternative remedies in the future. These may include imposing or modifying tariffs, duties, quotas, and fees as well as establishing a program to incentivize new investment in U.S. production.