Fresh sanctions between the US and China are putting supply chains, technology access, and overseas revenue in the spotlight for US industrial automation and robotics stocks. Some companies could see new interest as investors look at potential reshoring, while others may face questions about exposure to restricted markets or components. This article focuses on three stocks from our US Industrial Automation & Robotics Stocks screener that appear more directly exposed to the latest trade actions. You will see how each stock might be positioned, what to watch in their business models, and why the same headlines can create both opportunity and risk.

Tennant (TNC)

Overview: Tennant is a Minnesota based company that designs and manufactures manual and autonomous floor cleaning machines, detergent free cleaning technologies, and related services for commercial and industrial customers such as retailers, warehouses, schools, hospitals, and public venues across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific.

Operations: Tennant generates about US$1.2b in revenue from designing, manufacturing, and selling products used to maintain nonresidential surfaces, supported by contributions from Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Market Cap: US$1.46b

Tennant gives you direct exposure to the push toward automated cleaning in factories, warehouses, and public spaces, backed by a robotics line such as the X2 ROVR SCRUB and a plan to scale autonomous solutions across its customer base. This opportunity sits alongside a discount to one fair value estimate, yet this comes with weak current profitability, stretched dividend coverage, and debt that leans heavily on higher risk funding. Management is also working through tariffs, China sourcing exposure, and insider selling signals. The long term setup could look very different from what headline metrics suggest today if Tennant continues to build its automation and recurring revenue strengths while addressing cash flow and margin pressures.

Tennant’s push into autonomous cleaning sits beside questions about debt quality, margins, and dividends, which many investors may be glossing over. Get the balance of promise and pressure in the 2 key rewards and 4 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Allison Transmission Holdings (ALSN)

Overview: Allison Transmission Holdings designs and manufactures fully automatic transmissions and electrified propulsion systems for medium and heavy commercial trucks, buses, off-highway equipment, and U.S. defense vehicles, and also supports a large installed base with remanufactured units, parts, and service from its Indianapolis headquarters.

Market Cap: US$9.65b

Allison Transmission Holdings gives you exposure to commercial vehicle automation and defense programs at a time when US buyers are reassessing their dependence on Chinese components. The company has been lifting its revenue outlook for 2026 after strong Q2 sales, while also securing long term defense contracts, such as major CV90 and EAGLE V transmission deals, that can support more predictable demand. At the same time, earnings recently declined even as sales grew, margins are under pressure, and the balance sheet carries high debt that amplifies returns but raises risk. For investors who want to understand how cost discipline, the Dana Off Highway acquisition, and electrified products could reshape that risk reward profile, Allison warrants a closer look.

Allison Transmission’s mix of rising sales guidance, defense exposure, and electrified products could be masking a very different earnings story. Get the full context in the analysis report for Allison Transmission Holdings

Elmet Group (ELMT)

Overview: Elmet Group manufactures precision refractory metal components and high power microwave systems that sit inside radar, missile tracking, semiconductor tools, medical equipment, and advanced energy projects. It serves aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, electronics, and energy customers from its base in Portland, Maine.

Operations: Elmet Group generates around US$211.3m in revenue, with roughly US$181.0m from Critical Materials and Components and US$30.2m from Engineered Microwave Products. The vast majority of sales come from the United States.

Market Cap: US$473.7m

Elmet Group operates at the intersection of US reshoring, defense spending and critical materials, which helps explain why investors are watching it more closely as US China trade friction escalates. The company supplies tungsten and molybdenum based components and microwave systems into radar, missile and semiconductor programs that are tightly linked to US and allied supply chains. Analysts currently see strong earnings growth potential and a share price that trades well below one fair value estimate. At the same time, profitability is thin, leverage is high and recent results include a one off loss and a small Q1 2026 net loss. That combination of significant thematic exposure and currently fragile earnings may make Elmet Group a candidate for deeper research within automation and robotics focused portfolios.

Elmet Group sits at the crossroads of critical materials, defense and reshoring, yet its thin margins and leverage tell a more fragile story. For the full picture, see the 4 key rewards and 4 important warning signs

The three US industrial automation and robotics stocks in this article are only a starting point. The full screener has surfaced 16 more companies with equally compelling narratives and different mixes of reshoring, defense and automation exposure through the US Industrial Automation & Robotics Stocks screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify, filter and analyze the specific catalysts and narratives that matter to you so you can focus on the highest conviction opportunities in this theme.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.