The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has announced a prohibition on the importation of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters due to national security concerns, specifically targeting China. In response, Beijing has criticized the U.S. for engaging in protectionist measures. These restrictions are expected to strain relations with Beijing as Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to visit U.S. President Donald Trump in September. China currently holds a dominant position in the global humanoid robot market, with an estimated market share of approximately 85%.
The FCC’s ban extends to the import of quadruped robots, commonly known as four-legged robot dogs. The agency highlighted that importing advanced robots poses cybersecurity and other national security risks, emphasizing the vulnerability of U.S. supply chains to disruptions from offshore production of such equipment. Additionally, the ban on power inverters, which are essential for converting direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, could have far-reaching implications.
FCC chair Brendan Carr emphasized that these actions aim to safeguard America’s critical supply chains and apply to the importation of “new versions” of these products. These bans follow a series of U.S. restrictions on imports of Chinese goods, including drones, as well as controls on the export of advanced U.S. technology to China.
China’s rapid adoption of robots, supported by favorable policies for its technology sector, has led to significant growth. Analysts project that the Chinese humanoid robot market could reach $15 billion US by 2030, with Chinese manufacturers outpacing overseas competitors in scaling production and reducing costs. While restricting access to the U.S. market may protect American developers from price competition, it is unlikely to significantly impede China’s overall humanoid robot development.
China has vowed to respond to the U.S. measures, accusing Washington of stretching the national security concept to suppress Chinese companies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that it will take all necessary steps to defend the legitimate rights and interests of its businesses. Concerns have been raised that these new bans may disrupt collaborations between U.S. and Chinese technology firms, potentially impacting innovations in the sector.