US bans imports of new Chinese robots over security concerns

Lead

The Trump administration on Tuesday announced a ban on imports of new foreign-made humanoid and four-legged robots, along with power inverters, citing "unacceptable risks" to US national security. The restrictions, implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), take effect immediately but apply only to models not yet authorized for sale in the United States.

The action is part of a broader US effort to reduce reliance on Chinese technology in industries linked to artificial intelligence, energy, and data centers, as reported by multiple outlets including Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

Coverage comparison

The FCC's decision adds the devices to its Covered List, a register of goods and services deemed a threat to US national security. According to BBC News, the ban applies to advanced robots, including humanoid and four-legged machines, and does not prevent the sale or import of existing models that had been previously authorized. Power inverters—devices used in data centers and solar panels—are also barred from import, as reported by BBC News and The Guardian.

The FCC cited concerns that the use of foreign-made inverters could allow overseas firms to turn them off, steal data, facilitate remote access, and enable surveillance by "foreign government actors," according to BBC News. The agency also stated that robots made outside the US could allow "malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots," as quoted by The Guardian.

Deutsche Welle reported that the decision was based on findings from a White House task force, which concluded that foreign-built robots could create "a cybersecurity risk that threatens the security of critical infrastructure" and the safety of US residents.

The restrictions primarily affect Chinese manufacturers, which dominate the global robotics market. Analysts at Barclays estimate that Chinese-made humanoid robots account for roughly 85% of global deployments, as reported by Deutsche Welle. Similarly, Chinese vendors accounted for more than 80% of the 13,000 robots shipped worldwide in 2025, according to research firm Omdia, cited by the South China Morning Post.

The ban's scope may extend beyond humanoids and robot dogs. The South China Morning Post reported that the FCC's definition of "advanced robotic devices" includes any device weighing more than two kilograms that uses sensors, network connectivity, and software for autonomous navigation. This could encompass a wide range of consumer products, including robotic vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers, and pool scrubbers. Chinese brands such as Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame, Xiaomi, and Narwal Robotics together accounted for 68% of the global robotic vacuum cleaner market in 2025, according to IDC data cited by the Post.

The FCC's move follows increasing US scrutiny of Chinese technology. As reported by the South China Morning Post, the Covered List has been used since 2021 to restrict Chinese firms, initially targeting telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment before expanding to drones, routers, and testing labs. The Pentagon recently added Unitree, a leading Chinese robot maker, to a list of companies with alleged military links, as noted by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.

Key claims

• The Trump administration banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid and four-legged robots, citing national security risks, as reported by BBC News, Deutsche Welle, and Al Jazeera.
• The FCC also banned imports of new power inverters, citing vulnerabilities that could allow overseas firms to disrupt operations, steal data, or enable surveillance, as reported by BBC News and The Guardian.
• The restrictions apply only to models not yet authorized for sale in the US; existing models are unaffected, according to multiple outlets.
• Chinese manufacturers, including Unitree, UBTech, and AgiBot, are expected to bear the brunt of the ban, given their dominance in global robotics and inverter markets, as reported by Deutsche Welle, Al Jazeera, and the South China Morning Post.
• The FCC has the authority to revoke authorizations for already-sold models, though it has not yet done so, according to The Guardian.

Perspectives

Chinese government: The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the ban, with spokesperson Mao Ning stating that "protectionism will not enhance the United States' competitiveness" and that it would harm American businesses and consumers. Beijing opposed the "overly broad interpretation of national security" and vowed to take necessary measures to protect Chinese firms, as reported by TASS and the South China Morning Post.

Chinese state media: The state-run People's Daily accused Washington of "discriminatory suppression" of Chinese firms and products, calling the measures "unilateral bullying that blatantly distorts market-economy rules and principles of fair competition." It urged the US to expand cooperation with Beijing rather than add to the Covered List, as reported by the South China Morning Post.