The Trump administration and the Federal Communications Commission have announced a ban on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters. The ban targets advanced robot models, including bi-peds and four-legged robots, and primarily affects imports from China.
Officials stated the move seeks to protect the U.S. AI buildout from national security threats and reshore key industries slated for explosive growth. The action is part of a wider effort to reduce reliance on Chinese technology and avert Chinese government-linked hacking campaigns, such as the Volt Typhoon operation revealed in 2023.
The ban is expected to hit Unitree, one of three Chinese companies dominating an industry where China currently leads the global market for humanoid robots and solar inverters. The decision comes as the United States and China are locked in a race to lead the world in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Beijing's foreign ministry said it firmly opposed the move to add advanced robotic devices to the list of banned items on national security grounds. The ban is expected to strain diplomatic tensions between the two countries.