In a closed-door meeting on Monday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick informed top business executives that the Trump administration is taking steps to address potential national security threats posed by China's state-backed robotics industry.

According to a Politico report, Lutnick highlighted concerns that subsidized Chinese robots could dominate global markets before American manufacturers can compete effectively.

The roundtable discussion included executives from prominent companies such as Boston Dynamics, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Siemens, SpaceX, and Rockwell Automation.Participants discussed strategies to reverse decades of manufacturing offshoring and strengthen the U.S.industrial base for producing semiconductors and robots.

Lutnick emphasized the need to ensure robotics are produced domestically, stating, 'We don’t want state-subsidized robotics attacking us in America; this is the arms race that is coming — robotic arms are coming.' This development signals an escalating technological competition between the U.S.and China, with robotics emerging as a key battleground alongside AI chips.The administration is studying state-subsidized robotics imports to protect American interests and rebuild domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The meeting reflects broader efforts within the Trump administration to prioritize national security in advanced technology sectors and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.