Robots Become New US-China Tech Battlefield, Commerce Secretary Warns of Action

WASHINGTON (CNA) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently told senior executives in a closed-door meeting that the Commerce Department is closely scrutinizing Chinese government-subsidized robotic products being exported to the U.S., hinting at strong action once the review is complete.

According to a report by the U.S. political news website Politico, U.S. officials are increasingly viewing China's government-backed robotics industry as a national security threat, concerned that Chinese robots, benefiting from government subsidies, could dominate the global market before U.S. manufacturers reach sufficient competitive scale.

Although Chinese-made robots currently face U.S. tariffs, several attendees indicated that Lutnick's remarks suggest the authorities are considering further actions, reflecting a growing view within the Trump administration, beyond AI chips, that robotics technology is the next battlefield in the tech race.

According to meeting minutes obtained by Politico, Lutnick stated, "We don't want subsidized robots attacking us. This is the coming arms race, the coming robot arms race. We have to make sure robots are made in America, and we're going to do the research."

The meeting brought together over a dozen senior executives from companies including SpaceX, Boston Dynamics, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Siemens, and Rockwell Automation to discuss how to reverse decades of manufacturing outsourcing and rebuild the industrial base required for products ranging from semiconductors to robots.

Government officials and industry leaders argue that the U.S. has lost most of its manufacturing base needed to build next-generation robots, from machine tools to critical components. They aim to rebuild this industrial ecosystem before China expands its advantage in robot manufacturing.

One attendee remarked, "If we end up with 'American brains and Chinese bodies (hardware),' then this entire idea will be a very, very bad strategic plan."

The discussion largely focused on rebuilding the U.S. domestic industrial base, with executives also offering insights on financing bottlenecks, permit approval delays, and policies that could accelerate factory construction and investment.

Rebuilding the manufacturing base requires both tariffs and capital. A key element is the Department of Defense's Office of Strategic Capital, which provides low-cost loans aimed at reducing companies' capital costs and encouraging private investment in new factories and production capacity.

Two attendees revealed that the Office of Strategic Capital is currently reviewing loans for at least two U.S. robotics companies, Foundation Robotics and Standard Bots, though these loans are not yet finalized and will be paired with private funding.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Compiled by Chang Ming-hsuan) 0624

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