U.S. Department of Commerce Building. AP=Yonhap News.  

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced on the 24th (local time) that it has launched an investigation into the impact of robot and industrial machinery imports on national security.

The Commerce Department initiated the investigation on the 2nd and announced through the Federal Register that it is seeking input from stakeholders regarding this investigation.

The scope of the investigation includes robots and computer-controlled machine systems. This includes industrial stamping and pressing equipment, cutting and welding machines for workpieces, and specialized equipment for metal processing.

This investigation is being conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act grants the President the authority to restrict imports of items that negatively affect national security.

President Trump has utilized this authority to impose item-specific tariffs on automobiles and steel, among other imports from overseas.

There is a possibility that the U.S. administration may use the results of this investigation as grounds for imposing higher tariffs on robots and industrial machinery.

Yonhap News