Trump administration bans new Chinese humanoid robots

The Trump administration has officially blocked the import of new foreign-made humanoid robots and specific power inverters. This decision comes from the Federal Communications Commission as part of a move to address perceived national security threats. The government stated that these devices could provide foreign entities with opportunities for surveillance, data theft, or remote exploitation of critical infrastructure.

This policy specifically targets advanced robotic hardware and components essential for modern data centers and solar energy systems. While the ban restricts future imports, it does not apply to models already approved for use in the United States. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr framed the decision as a necessary step toward securing domestic supply chains against potential cyberattacks.

Chinese officials responded by criticizing the decision as a politicized trade action based on groundless concerns. The Chinese embassy in Washington indicated that the country intends to protect its interests and warned that such sanctions harm the cooperative development of new technologies. They urged the United States to stop placing restrictions on Chinese firms, noting that their progress in artificial intelligence stems from domestic effort and international collaboration.

This restriction follows a pattern of heightened trade friction between the two nations. The United States has previously enacted steep tariffs on electric vehicles and blocked the export of advanced semiconductors to slow military modernization in China. This latest action adds to a series of measures intended to maintain American technological dominance and reduce reliance on Chinese equipment in sensitive sectors.

Companies like Unitree, UBTech, and AgiBot now face a significant barrier to entering the American market. As China remains the world leader in humanoid robot manufacturing, this move represents a major shift in how the US handles foreign robotics competition. It highlights the growing tension over who controls the infrastructure behind the next generation of autonomous machines.