White House Directs Trade Negotiations on Robotics and Industrial Machinery Imports, Citing National Security Concerns

President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation concluding that imports of robotics, industrial machinery, and their components threaten U.S. national security. Instead of imposing tariffs, the President has directed the Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative to pursue negotiations with foreign trading partners to address this threat. This marks the third time this year the President has opted for negotiations over tariffs following a Section 232 investigation.