Trump administration bans new Chinese humanoid robot imports as security concerns widen

The Trump administration has announced a ban on new foreign-made humanoid robot imports to the United States, citing what it called unacceptable risks to national security. The restriction covers advanced robots, including humanoid and four-legged machines, many of which are made in China. The move comes as the United States and China compete more intensely in robotics and artificial intelligence.

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The Federal Communications Commission also said it would ban imports of power inverters used in data centres and solar panels. FCC chairman Brendan Carr said the agency was doing its part to secure America's critical supply chains. Officials said the inverter decision was also linked to risks to the US economy, adding another layer to the administration's wider technology and trade restrictions.

The policy has immediate implications for two fast-growing sectors: robotics and energy infrastructure. Chinese companies have rapidly developed humanoid robots for use in factories and homes, and have been moving quickly to market them to businesses and the public. The United States has been trying to build up domestic alternatives, with companies such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics among the names often associated with the sector.

The decision also fits into a broader pattern of US scrutiny of Chinese technology in areas considered strategically sensitive. That scrutiny has already covered telecommunications, semiconductors and equipment linked to data flows or critical infrastructure. In this case, the focus is on devices that could be used in homes, factories, energy systems and data centres, where connectivity and access raise security concerns.

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China is the world's biggest maker of humanoid robots, and the issue sits within a wider race over robotics, AI and supply-chain control. The administration's approach suggests that Washington sees these technologies not only as commercial products but also as part of national security planning. The FCC's separate action on power inverters also underlines how energy equipment is increasingly being treated as a strategic issue.

What remains unclear is how quickly the restrictions will affect manufacturers, distributors and buyers, and whether any existing approvals will be withdrawn. The Chinese embassy in Washington had not immediately responded to a request for comment. It is also not yet clear whether further categories of connected devices could face similar limits as the rules are enforced.

The Federal Communications Commission has announced restrictions on humanoid robots from China, saying the technology poses what it described as unacceptable risks to US national security. The move also bars connected power inverters that link renewable energy sources and batteries to grids and datacenter equipment. It is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to keep Chinese technology out of the United States.

The commission said the banned robots fall under its definition of advanced robotic devices, including humanoids and animal-like quadrupeds. Officials said such devices could collect data that might be used to surveil Americans, support foreign intelligence services, or allow remote control of the machines. The restrictions apply to models that have not yet been released, although the FCC said it can also revoke authorisations for models already approved for sale in the US.

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The decision has immediate implications for two sectors that are expected to grow quickly. Humanoid robots are forecast by some analysts to see wider use in consumer and industrial settings, while the expansion of datacentres in the US depends on reliable inverter supply. China is the world's largest maker of inverters, with companies such as Sungrow Power Supply and Huawei already heavily sanctioned by the US.

The action reflects a wider effort by Washington to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical and emerging technologies. An administration official said the president had made clear that the US must have independent and secure supply chains for robotic devices and power inverters. The official also said economic security is national security, framing the restrictions as part of a broader reindustrialisation agenda.

The FCC's move comes amid continuing US scrutiny of Chinese technology in areas seen as strategically sensitive. That scrutiny has covered telecommunications, semiconductors and other equipment linked to data flows or critical infrastructure. In this case, the commission is focusing on devices that could sit inside homes, factories, energy systems and datacentres, where access and connectivity raise security concerns.

What remains unclear is how quickly the restrictions will affect manufacturers, distributors and buyers, and whether any existing approvals will be withdrawn. The Chinese embassy in Washington had not immediately responded to a request for comment. The FCC has not said whether further categories of connected devices could face similar limits, and the practical impact will depend on how the rules are enforced.

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