According to Zhitong Finance App, after dedicating efforts to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the Trump administration is shifting its policy focus toward the robotics sector. Reports indicate that the U.S. government plans to significantly promote advancements in robotics technology and advanced manufacturing through executive orders, inter-agency working groups, and industry support policies. This marks an expansion of U.S. support for more emerging frontier fields while advancing AI development.
Dense release of policy signals
According to three individuals familiar with the matter, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has recently met frequently with CEOs from the robotics industry and is "fully committed" to promoting the sector's growth. Discussions have focused on policy incentives such as tax relief, regulatory simplification, and increased federal funding.
Two of the sources revealed that the government is considering issuing an executive order on robotics next year. This order could establish national goals in areas such as technology research and development, deployment applications, and ethical standards. The move will emulate the November “Genesis Plan” AI executive order, mobilizing federal resources to drive technological breakthroughs, including those in robotics laboratories.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Commerce responded, "We are committed to developing robotics and advanced manufacturing because they are core pillars for bringing critical production capacity back to the United States."
In addition to the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Transportation is also reportedly preparing to establish a robotics task force, with related plans potentially announced before the end of the year. At the congressional level, Republicans had previously proposed adding an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to create a National Robotics Commission. Although this amendment was ultimately not included in the bill text, relevant legislative actions are still underway.
The urgent need to catch up with China
This series of intensive actions indicates that the robotics field is becoming the next important frontier in the competition between the United States and China. It also represents the latest example of the Trump administration using industrial policy to compete with China in key areas such as AI.
Although general-purpose humanoid robots may seem like a science fiction concept, advancements in AI technology are actually driving breakthroughs in human-like robots: by processing vast amounts of data more quickly, these robots are now able to handle increasingly complex tasks.
Data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) shows that as of 2023, the number of industrial robots in Chinese factories has reached 1.8 million, four times that of the United States. Currently, countries such as China, Japan, Australia, Germany, and Singapore have already issued national robotics development plans.
If the United States wishes to catch up, it will need to invest substantial funds. According to CB Insights, global investment in the robotics sector is projected to reach USD 2.3 billion by 2025, doubling from last year. Goldman Sachs predicts that by 2035, the global humanoid robotics market could exceed USD 38 billion.
Industry Calls and National Strategy
The robotics industry has been actively promoting the involvement of government officials and legislators in formulating relevant policies. Industry insiders emphasize that robots are the physical carriers of artificial intelligence (AI), and any measures aimed at enhancing AI competitiveness should incorporate development plans for the robotics industry.
At the corporate level, there are calls for the government to provide tax incentives or federal funding support to help businesses integrate advanced automation technologies, strengthen supply chain systems, and expand deployment. Additionally, they hope trade policies will address China's subsidies and intellectual property practices in related fields.
"The United States must take an active role in formulating a national robotics strategy and supporting the development of domestic emerging industries to maintain global competitiveness," said Jeff Cardenas, CEO of Apptronik. Reportedly, this Austin-based startup, valued at USD 5 billion and backed by Google (GOOGL.US), has developed Apollo, one of the earliest general-purpose humanoid robots deployed in automotive factories.
Brendan Schulman, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at Boston Dynamics, noted: "There is now widespread consensus that advanced robotics technology is crucial for U.S. manufacturing, technological advancement, national security, defense applications, and public safety. The surge in investment in this field, along with China’s efforts to secure leadership in the future of robotics, has garnered significant attention."
Internal Debate: The Paradox of Employment and Automation
A core issue yet to be resolved is how to align national-level promotion of the robotics industry with the government’s goal of revitalizing American manufacturing. Skeptics warn that if companies over-prioritize automation, the U.S. may face a situation where 'factories return but jobs do not'—with factories ultimately operated by machines rather than human labor.
A research report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) indicates that as companies increase automation, many workers engaged in routine or replaceable tasks will face reduced employment opportunities and declining incomes.
However, an alternative vision exists within the industry: robotics and manufacturing can complement each other to enhance efficiency. Workers would participate in the research, deployment, and maintenance of robots, thereby driving industrial growth. This is precisely the development path advocated by some industry experts.
Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), stated that robots can enhance workers' productivity, thereby creating more job opportunities.
"As companies invest in robotics, they will also expand human recruitment—because their performance will improve as a result," he noted.
Cardenas emphasized, "The future is not about humans versus machines, but about humans and machines advancing together. Our philosophy is that robots should augment human capabilities and efficiency, not replace humans. Gaining an early lead in this field is crucial."
Concerns over basic research: The source of innovation may be eroded.
It is important to note that, while the government is actively promoting industrial applications, academic institutions have raised alarms about cuts to funding for fundamental scientific research. Leading computer scientists point out that federal policies are moving in the opposite direction in areas supporting foundational research on robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
According to disclosures by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), recent cuts to funding for basic research by agencies such as the U.S. National Science Foundation are eroding the research system that once fostered groundbreaking innovations—innovations that the U.S. now seeks to commercialize.
Communications of the ACM warned: "Federal funding for basic research ignited and sustained the modern technological revolution." Achievements over the past five decades "did not arise out of thin air." The association emphasized that trillion-dollar industries such as microprocessors, networking technologies, reinforcement learning, and modern AI systems all originated from publicly funded basic research.
Andrew Barto, Turing Award winner, noted that his award-winning research was "entirely supported by funding for curiosity-driven basic research." Former Stanford University President John Hennessy highlighted that early-stage capital provided by federal agencies was key to the birth of the internet.
Eric Horvitz, co-editor-in-chief of Communications of the ACM, stated that the above examples demonstrate how "federally funded exploratory research has led to breakthrough computing technologies, fundamentally transforming the ways we communicate, work, learn, explore, and provide healthcare." Scholar Margaret Martonosi emphasized: "Our future depends on such strategic investments."
Despite the Trump administration showing renewed enthusiasm for robotic applications, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) has warned that without renewed support for upstream research, the innovation pipeline needed to maintain U.S. leadership in AI and robotics may continue to shrink.
Editor/Liam
