Many had expected an economic upturn after the US election - instead, caution and uncertainty prevail. Investments are being held back, even though proven robotics solutions are available and could deliver clear ROI benefits. Companies are hesitant - mainly due to political uncertainty and fear of the upcoming customs regulations. The market is “flat”, says Stu - especially in the automotive industry, which has traditionally been one of the strongest investors in automation. Instead, areas such as material handling and the food and beverage industry, where AMRs and pick-and-place solutions are in demand, are continuing to boom.

An interesting point: European robotics companies could benefit from the current conditions in the USA - but the announced tariffs are putting a damper on hopes, especially for those who do not have a plant in the USA. After Donald Trump's famous tariff list, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced the following: “Tradecraft is going to come back to America. High school educated workforce is going to get trained to do robot mechanic.” In other words: Americans should now retrain to become robots. One user wrote on social media about the plans: “Do robot mechanic is the new everythings computer”. Lutnick left open where all the robots are to come from.

Many European robotics manufacturers are relying on the USA, also as a production location. ABB has caused quite a stir in recent months. The company has invested heavily in its local plants. Fanuc has a plant in Michigan. Yaskawa is represented in Ohio. Kuka also produces in Michigan. Universal Robots does not have a plant in the USA. The same applies to many smaller suppliers who have become more involved in the USA in recent months.