On October 17, 2025, One Voice submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce in response to its Section 232 national security investigation into imports of robotics and industrial machinery. In the comments, One Voice stressed that small- and medium-sized manufacturers rely heavily on advanced equipment sourced domestically and globally to remain competitive, grow their workforce, and contribute to U.S. supply chains vital to national security.
The associations warned that tariffs on machinery not produced domestically—or on critical imported components—would raise costs, delay modernization, and limit members’ ability to invest in robotics and automation. In survey responses, members reported spending over $1 million annually on machinery, dies, presses, and robotics, with much of the most advanced technology available only from allies such as Japan and Germany. The comments highlighted that indiscriminate tariffs would disproportionately penalize purchases from these trusted suppliers, while doing little to address the real challenge posed by Chinese subsidies and overcapacity.
The Commerce Department launched the Section 232 investigation on September 2, 2025, under the authority of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. A notice published in the Federal Register on September 26 formally opened the inquiry, which covers a broad range of equipment, from CNC machining centers and stamping presses to industrial ovens, laser cutters, and injection molding machines. The Department is reviewing whether U.S. dependence on foreign suppliers in these areas constitutes a national security risk.
Members also detailed the practical effects of tariffs, from surcharges of tens of thousands of dollars on CNC machinery to canceled or downsized investments. With 92 percent of members reporting severe workforce recruitment challenges, the associations emphasized that access to cutting-edge machinery and robotics is essential to offset labor shortages, expand production, and strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
Now that the public comment period has closed, Commerce will compile its findings into a report with recommendations for the President, who will then determine whether remedies such as tariffs or quotas are warranted. One Voice will continue to advocate for policies that support member companies’ ability to modernize, innovate, and grow while maintaining secure and resilient supply chains. It is not clear at this time when tariffs may take effect, if they do, and at what rate.
President Trump Issues Section 232 Tariffs on Imported Trucks and Buses
On October 17, 2025, President Trump issued a Proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, imposing new tariffs on imports of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), vehicle parts, and buses. The move follows a Commerce Department investigation that concluded these imports pose a risk to national security by weakening the U.S. manufacturing base and increasing dependence on foreign suppliers.
The trade action sets a 25 percent tariff on imported medium- and heavy-duty trucks in Classes 3 through 8, along with critical parts such as engines, transmissions, tires, and chassis. Imported buses, including school, transit, and motor coaches, will face a 10 percent tariff. For goods covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and entering under a USMCA designation, the tariff does not apply at this time, but will apply to the non-U.S. content of vehicles or parts, once a the Commerce Department verification process is in place. The tariffs take effect November 1, 2025.
The administration is also establishing a 3.75 percent import adjustment offset for manufacturers that assemble medium- and heavy-duty trucks or engines in the United States between 2025 and 2030. This offset is designed to balance tariff costs with incentives to expand domestic manufacturing. The action brings tariffs on medium- and heavy-duty trucks into alignment with the broader Section 232 auto program established earlier in 2025. It also ensures that products covered under this Section 232 action are not subject to overlapping duties on steel, aluminum, copper, or lumber. The Administration emphasized that the tariffs are part of a wider effort to rebuild U.S. industrial capabilities, secure supply chains, and protect sectors deemed vital to both economic and national security.
Administration Extends Auto Tariff Offset Program Through 2030
The Administration has announced that the auto tariff offset program will be extended through 2030, aligning tariff policies for the auto and trucking sectors and providing continued relief for U.S. vehicle manufacturers. The extension was included in a new proclamation imposing tariffs on medium- and heavy-duty trucks, truck parts, and buses following a Section 232 investigation into national security risks posed by rising import dependence
This action builds on an earlier Presidential Proclamation issued on April 29, which modified tariffs on auto parts in order to ease burdens on U.S. automakers. That proclamation created an import adjustment offset program for automobile manufacturers assembling vehicles domestically. Automakers were permitted to reduce tariffs on imported parts by an amount equal to 3.75 percent of the aggregate Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of vehicles built in the United States. From May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, the offset lowered to 2.5 percent. These percentages were calculated based on the duty that would be owed when a 25 percent tariff was applied to 15 percent and 10 percent of a vehicle’s MSRP value, respectively.
To qualify, vehicles must undergo final assembly in the United States, and manufacturers are required to submit documentation to the Secretary of Commerce verifying projected U.S. assembly volumes, plant locations, projected tariff costs, and eligible importers.
With the new extension through 2030, automakers will continue to benefit from offsets equal to 3.75 percent of the MSRP of U.S.-assembled vehicles, harmonizing the program with similar offsets created for medium- and heavy-duty truck manufacturers.
Senate Moves to Fill Labor Leadership Posts
Lawmakers in the Senate pushed forward this month on a series of long-delayed confirmations to key labor and employment posts.
In a broad confirmation vote on October 7, 2025, senators approved more than 100 nominees for positions across the administration. The list included several pivotal labor appointments: David Keeling was confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Andrew Rogers as Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, Jonathan Berry as Solicitor of Labor, and Brittany Panuccio as Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The following week, attention shifted to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. On October 9, the panel advanced two nominations to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in a narrow 12–11 party-line vote—sending James Murphy’s nomination to be a Board member and Crystal Carey’s nomination to be General Counsel to the full Senate. A third nomination, that of Scott Mayer to an additional NLRB seat, was pulled from the committee’s agenda after sharp objections were raised during his confirmation hearing. These moves highlight the Senate’s effort to address leadership vacancies at agencies overseeing workplace safety, wage and hour enforcement, equal employment, and labor relations.