U.S. imports of industrial robots jumped 60% on a year earlier in October, and may rise a further 42% in November. This has been driven by higher exports by Yaskawa Electric, Kawasaki Heavy and Fanuc. The latter increased exports to the U.S. by 50% in November, and has increased its manufacturing capacity in Japan. The higher imports may reflect capital spending decisions being brought forward ahead of trade policy changes. Yet, the U.S. also exports $800 million of industrial robots per year, of which 55% goes to China, Canada and Mexico, making industrial robots a potential ‘r...