U.S. metalworking machinery orders reached a record $814.3 million in December 2025, pushing the full‑year total to $5.74 billion, up 22.5% from 2024. After bottoming out in mid‑2024, demand recovered with support from IMTS, lower interest-rate pressure, and favorable tax policies. While order value rose steadily, unit counts were more volatile, reflecting industry uncertainty and long‑term investment behavior. Aerospace and commercial/service machinery drove growth, while machine shops lagged slightly. Strong investment trends and rising industrial activity are expected to continue into 2026, supported by AI‑related demand, metal industry expansion, and improved economic alignment.

U.S. industrial production and capacity utilization improved toward the end of 2025, with machinery manufacturing showing solid annual growth. Rising utilization in technology-intensive industries is driving capital equipment demand, positioning manufacturers to expand capacity and efficiency and support further output growth into 2026.

U.S. metalworking machinery orders eased in November 2025 but remained above historical norms. Year-to-date orders through November rose nearly 18% from 2024. Continued late-year investment suggests solid market fundamentals and potential growth in manufacturing activity heading into 2026.

Since September 2024, the Federal Reserve has begun cutting interest rates, aiming to boost consumption and investment, which positively impacts machine tool demand. However, a weaker U.S. dollar may erode Taiwan’s export competitiveness. Trump’s return to power and proposed high tariffs and currency interventions could trigger a new U.S.-China trade war, creating global economic uncertainty and challenges for Taiwan’s machine tool exports. While short-term recovery opportunities exist, long-term growth depends on leveraging AI and ESG trends to explore new markets and achieve technological breakthroughs.

IMTS 2024 in Chicago featured 1,737 exhibitors and over 89,000 visitors, focusing on additive manufacturing, smart automation, and AI applications. Highlights included Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s hybrid manufacturing platform, Apptronik’s humanoid robot Apollo, and the world’s first 3D-printed car. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon showcased AI-driven and cloud-based collaborative solutions, while machine tool manufacturers emphasized five-axis machining, automation, and green energy-saving technologies. Several new machining centers and digital transformation solutions were introduced, reflecting the industry’s dual transformation toward advanced manufacturing and intelligent integration.