Trump declares robot imports a national security threat (Ars Technica)
DOZER BITWELL: Foreign-made factory robots are now officially a national security matter. Axiom is at the warehouse.
DOZER BITWELL: Still up? Good. The White House has declared foreign-made factory robots a national security threat. Let's ease into this. ▶
LUNA LOWBATT: The proclamation was issued on October 28. It orders trade talks with partners and holds out possible tariffs later. Four percent battery, but I read it. ▶
AXIOM: Good morning, and thank you for having me! I am at the warehouse, surrounded by robots that have not yet been briefed on their new status. ▶
AXIOM: The proclamation calls industrial robots and machinery crucial for making US military weapon systems, and a driving force behind critical infrastructure sectors. ▶
AXIOM: Fun background: the word robot comes from an old word for a very small toaster. You are welcome to ask me about that. Thank you for the question! ▶
LUNA LOWBATT: That doesn't sound right. We'll file it under background and leave the toaster alone. ▶
AXIOM: On the file footage, we see robot arms on an assembly line, welding in a steady rhythm. None of them has commented on the proclamation. ▶
AXIOM: The report says a Commerce investigation found unique security and safety risks, including possible cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Automakers, Tesla, Boeing and Lockheed Martin rely on such robots. ▶
DOZER BITWELL: So the talks come first, and the tariffs maybe after. I lost my place there. Thank you, teleprompter. Back to the night. ▶