Trump Administration Bans New Chinese-Made Humanoid Robots Over Security Concerns

The Trump administration has announced a ban on the import of new foreign-made humanoid robots into the United States, citing what it described as “unacceptable risks” to the country’s national security.

The restrictions, unveiled on Tuesday, cover advanced robotic systems, including humanoid robots and four-legged robotic machines. Many of the affected products are manufactured in China, which has emerged as a major competitor to the United States in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

In a related move, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also prohibited the import of certain power inverters used in data centres and solar energy systems, arguing that they present potential risks to the U.S. economy.

Responding to the announcement, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the United States of “politicising” trade issues and imposing sanctions based on “groundless pretexts.”

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended the decision, saying the agency was doing its part “to secure America’s critical supply chains.”

The newly restricted products have been added to the FCC’s Covered List, which identifies communications equipment and services considered to pose threats to U.S. national security.

The restrictions apply only to newly imported foreign-produced advanced robots and power inverters. Products that had already received FCC authorisation before the ban will not be affected.

According to the FCC, foreign-made power inverters could potentially be exploited by overseas companies to disable critical systems, steal sensitive information, enable remote access or surveillance, or become targets for cyberattacks carried out by “foreign government actors, or be otherwise exploited through a cyberattack.”

The agency also warned that advanced robots manufactured outside the United States could enable “malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots.”

China’s embassy said Beijing would “take all necessary measures” to protect its interests if its companies are targeted, while urging countries to cooperate in developing artificial intelligence “for the positive and for good.”

The embassy also called on Washington to “abandon its hegemonic mindset, and stop smearing Chinese companies and threatening them with sanctions.”

Major Chinese robotics manufacturers, including Unitree, UBTech and AgiBot, had not publicly responded at the time of reporting.

The latest restrictions come as the Trump administration continues efforts to address trade imbalances with China, the world’s second-largest economy, while tightening controls on technology viewed as strategically important.

Although China is the world’s largest exporter of electric vehicles, its access to the U.S. market has been significantly limited by high tariffs.

Washington has also imposed restrictions on exports of advanced U.S.-made semiconductors to China, arguing that the measures are necessary to safeguard national security, slow Beijing’s military modernisation and preserve America’s technological advantage in artificial intelligence.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has additionally warned that Chinese AI companies could face sanctions over allegations that they misappropriated American intellectual property.

Beijing has rejected those claims, insisting that China’s progress in artificial intelligence is “the result of its own dedication and effort as well as international cooperation.”

The United States is also seeking to reduce its vulnerability to supply chain disruptions following China’s decision last year to tighten export controls on rare earth minerals, which are essential components in modern electronics.

Chinese technology companies have accelerated the development of humanoid robots for use in industries ranging from manufacturing to domestic services. Many have moved aggressively to commercialise the technology, bringing products to market ahead of American competitors such as Tesla and Boston Dynamics.