29.10.2026 Regulation #USA #Import #Duties

US holds off Section 232 tariffs on robotics and machinery, orders talks

On 28 October 2026 the US President signed a proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The Secretary of Commerce found that robotics, industrial machinery and their parts and components are being imported in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair US national security. The President concurred but imposed no tariffs. Instead, he directed Commerce and the US Trade Representative (USTR) to negotiate with trading partners.

Talks and a 180-day report instead of tariffs

The document changes no import duty rates. It sets out the following process:

Commerce and USTR jointly pursue, or continue, negotiations of agreements with the partners they deem appropriate.
They update the President on the talks from time to time, and must provide one such update within 180 days of the proclamation.
Commerce continues to monitor imports and informs the President of any circumstances that may call for further Section 232 action.

The proclamation states that robotics and industrial machinery support approximately $7.1 trillion in shipments of manufactured goods in 2024 and the production of approximately $86 billion worth of equipment in 2024 (para. 2). It uses these figures to show the sector's significance, not the volume of imports.

Equipment covered by the investigation

Commerce opened the investigation on 2 September 2025. The notice defines "robotics and industrial machinery" as including, among other things:

robots and programmable, computer-controlled mechanical systems;
CNC machining centers, turning and milling machines, grinding and deburring equipment, and industrial stamping and pressing machines;
automatic tool changers, jigs and fixtures, and machine tools for cutting, welding and handling workpieces;
application-specific metalworking equipment: autoclaves and industrial ovens, metal finishing and treatment equipment, EDM machinery, and laser and water-cutting tools and machinery.

Unmanned aircraft systems are excluded and covered by a separate investigation. Neither the proclamation nor the White House fact sheet lists HTS codes, so the exact tariff lines in scope remain undefined.

What this means for exporters and importers

For now there are no new rates, codes or declaration requirements, and the current import regime is unchanged. Further measures are deferred until the outcome of the talks: if no agreement is entered into within 180 days, or an agreement is not being carried out or is ineffective, the President may take other action. The proclamation names tariffs, fees, quotas and a program to incentivize new US production investment in robotics and industrial machinery (paras. 11 and (1)).

The decision came six days after a similar proclamation of 22 October on wind turbines.

When Commerce and USTR must report on the talks

The 180 days run from 28 October 2026; by our calculation the period ends on 26 April 2027. The proclamation does not name a date for any decision on tariffs or other measures.

Primary sources

This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.