The technological rivalry between the United States and China is showing signs of expanding from artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors to the robotics industry.
On June 23, Politico reported that US Secretary of Commerce Howard Rutnik indicated during a closed-door meeting with corporate executives that the Department of Commerce is examining imports of robots supported by the Chinese government and may take strong action.
Chinese robots are already subject to US tariffs. However, attendees at the meeting suggested that Rutnik's comments imply the Trump administration is considering additional tariffs or import restrictions as a separate response.
According to meeting notes obtained by Politico, Rutnik stated, "We do not want state-subsidized robots attacking America. This is the arms race that is coming, and robotic arms are on the way." He added, "Robots need to be produced in the United States, and we are reviewing this now."
Executives from over ten companies, including SpaceX, Boston Dynamics, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Siemens, and Rockwell Automation, attended the meeting. Discussions focused on revitalizing the manufacturing base that has moved overseas for decades and building an industrial ecosystem capable of producing everything from semiconductors to robots within the United States.
The US government views China's state-supported robotics industry as a national security threat. There are concerns that if Chinese robots, backed by subsidies, dominate the global market, American manufacturers may lose even the opportunity to enhance their competitiveness.
Politico also highlighted that the US has lost a significant portion of the manufacturing base needed for next-generation robot production. With weakened capabilities in machine tools and key component manufacturing, there are fears that the US could rely on China for actual hardware production, despite maintaining competitiveness in AI and software. As of 2024, China is projected to have installed approximately 300,000 industrial robots, accounting for 54% of the global market. This indicates China's intent to dominate the robotics sector, similar to its positions in solar energy and electric vehicles.
The Trump administration believes that tariffs alone will not suffice to drive the reshoring of the robotics industry and is also seeking financial support. According to Politico, the Department of Defense's Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) is reviewing low-interest loans for US robotics companies Foundation Robotics and Standard Bots. These loans aim to reduce the financial burden on companies and attract private investment, although they have not yet been finalized.
Evan Beard, CEO of Standard Bots, remarked, "The administration understands the urgency of this issue and is taking action, not just talking. They are investing real funds to counteract market distortions abroad and make reshoring economically viable."
In response to US pressure, China is also taking countermeasures. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce recently announced export restrictions on dual-use items for ten US military-related companies, following the US's addition of major Chinese tech firms like Alibaba and Baidu to a list of 'companies supporting the Chinese military.' Additionally, Alibaba has filed a lawsuit against the US in response to these measures.
The Chinese Ministry of Finance has also implemented a separate measure preventing government agencies from purchasing products from 46 US companies, including subsidiaries of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and General Dynamics. Specific reasons for the ban have not been disclosed.
However, George Chen, a partner at consulting firm The Asia Group, noted that China's recent actions are a predictable level of retaliation against US restrictions, and the actual impact is likely to be symbolic.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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