In a recent article titled "Why Robots Are Not the Answer to US Manufacturing Reshoring Hopes," the Financial Times challenged the notion that tariffs alone could reverse the trend of manufacturing jobs leaving the United States or that robots would quickly fill the current 500,000 job vacancies in American industry. The article highlights that the cost of integrating a collaborative robot, which can range from $25,000 to $50,000, often balloons to as much as $150,000 once additional expenses such as sensors, safety fencing, and installation are factored in. Moreover, only about 20% of mid-sized factories with 50 to 150 employees have even one robot. In sectors outside the highly repetitive tasks of the automotive industry, where two out of every five robots in the U.S. are found, the financial case for automation is less compelling. The core issue lies in the United States' lack of domestic robot manufacturing capability. The country relies almost entirely on Asian and European suppliers for its industrial robots. According to data from the International Federation of Robotics, Japan produces 46% of the world’s industrial robots, while China leads in new installations. Tesla, despite its ambitious plans, remains an exception rather than the rule, with its timeline often subject to what is humorously referred to as “Elon time.” Overall, the United States lacks a national robotics champion and must depend on foreign companies like ABB, Fanuc, or Kuka to automate its manufacturing facilities. This dependency underscores the complexity of reshoring manufacturing jobs through tariffs and automation. While increasing tariffs on imported goods might seem like a straightforward solution, the reality is far more nuanced. The high initial costs and limited domestic production of industrial robots highlight the need for a multifaceted approach to revitalize American manufacturing, one that includes investment in technology, infrastructure, and workforce training.