The Trump administration on Tuesday announced a ban on new foreign-made humanoid robot imports to the US, citing “unacceptable risks” to national security — the latest escalation in a widening technological rivalry with China.
The move applies to advanced robots, including humanoid and four-legged machines, many of which are made in China, the world’s largest producer of humanoid robots. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also banned the import of power inverters, devices used in data centres and solar panels, which it said could pose a risk to the US economy.
“Trump administration bans foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters over national security risks from China.”
FCC chairman Brendan Carr said the agency was doing its part “to secure America’s critical supply chains”. The FCC added the items to its Covered List, a register of goods and services deemed a risk to US national security. The ban does not affect existing models that had previously been authorised.
The FCC cited concerns that foreign-made inverters could allow overseas firms to turn them off, steal data, or facilitate remote access and surveillance by “foreign government actors, or be otherwise exploited through a cyberattack”. It also warned that robots made outside the US could enable “malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots”.
Despite being the world’s biggest exporter of electric vehicles, China has been effectively shut out of the American market by steep tariffs. Washington has also blocked the sale of cutting-edge US semiconductors to China, aiming to protect national security, slow Beijing’s military modernisation and maintain America’s lead in artificial intelligence.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Chinese AI firms could face sanctions over allegations of stealing American intellectual property. In response, the Chinese government has said its development of AI was “the result of its own dedication and effort as well as international cooperation”.
The ban signals the intensifying race between the US and China to dominate robotics and AI, as Chinese firms rapidly develop humanoid robots for use in factories and homes, and market them ahead of US rivals such as Elon Musk’s Tesla.
