US Bans Foreign-Made Advanced Robots Over National Security Concerns

The US has restricted imports of foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots over national and cybersecurity concerns, a move expected to affect Chinese manufacturers most. The FCC says network-connected robots could pose risks to critical infrastructure and public safety. The restrictions come amid growing US-China technology tensions and also target foreign-made solar power inverters, with China dominating both markets.

The United States has announced restrictions on the import of foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots, a move expected to hit Chinese manufacturers particularly hard and potentially deepen technology tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said on Tuesday that certain advanced robotic devices manufactured abroad could pose national and cybersecurity risks.
The decision followed findings by a White House task force, which warned that foreign-built robots could create cybersecurity vulnerabilities capable of threatening critical infrastructure and the safety of US residents.

WHAT THE NEW RESTRICTIONS COVER

The FCC defines the affected mobile robots as devices weighing more than two kilogrammes that use sensors, software and network connectivity to navigate independently and avoid obstacles.
The restrictions are expected to affect humanoid robots designed to operate like humans, as well as quadruped robots, commonly known as robot dogs.
However, stationary industrial robots are expected to remain exempt from the restrictions.
The broad definition of advanced mobile robots could potentially include some sophisticated robotic vacuum cleaners and other connected autonomous devices.

CHINA LEADS THE GLOBAL HUMANOID ROBOT MARKET

The decision comes as the global robotics industry enters a period of rapid expansion, with American and Chinese companies competing to develop increasingly advanced machines.
China currently has a significant advantage in the sector.
Analysts at Barclays estimate that Chinese-made humanoid robots account for about 85% of the global market, while Morgan Stanley has predicted that China's humanoid robotics industry could be worth around $15 billion by 2030.
Chinese manufacturers have also been able to scale up production and lower costs more rapidly than many international competitors.
Companies such as Unitree and AGIBOT are among China's leading robotics manufacturers, while US firms including Figure AI and Tesla are also developing humanoid robots for industrial use.

US COMPANIES SEEK TO CLOSE THE GAP

Although the US remains a major centre for robotics research and development, its commercial production has not yet matched China's scale.
Figure AI has already begun deploying humanoid robots on production lines, while Tesla plans to expand production of its Optimus humanoid robot.
According to technology research group Omdia, Unitree and AGIBOT each shipped more than 5,000 humanoid robots in 2025, while US exports remained in the hundreds.
The FCC said the restrictions were necessary to protect America's critical supply chains and reduce potential security vulnerabilities.
However, analysts believe the measures may have limited impact on China's broader robotics ambitions because of the country's large domestic manufacturing base and access to other international markets.

US-CHINA TECHNOLOGY TENSIONS DEEPEN

The robot restrictions are the latest in a series of US measures targeting Chinese technology.
Washington has previously restricted Chinese-made drones and is considering additional measures involving Chinese artificial intelligence models, citing concerns about cybersecurity, espionage, surveillance and data collection.
The Pentagon has also placed Unitree and other Chinese technology companies on a list of firms it says have links to the Chinese military.
Beijing has rejected such claims and strongly opposed the designation of its companies.
The latest move could therefore add another point of tension to an already strained US-China relationship.

RESTRICTIONS COULD AFFECT THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY

The FCC also added foreign-made power inverters to its restricted list.
Power inverters are essential components of solar energy systems because they convert direct current generated by solar panels into alternating current that can be used by the electricity grid.
The agency said network-connected inverters could potentially be remotely disabled or used to collect sensitive data, creating cybersecurity concerns.
The restrictions are expected to affect Chinese manufacturers significantly because China currently dominates the global solar inverter market.

CONCERNS AHEAD OF TRUMP-XI MEETING

The new restrictions come ahead of a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in September.
Analysts say the latest technology measures could become another source of tension between the two countries as they negotiate their broader economic and strategic relationship.
Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at New America, described the growing number of technology disputes as a steady stream of potential flashpoints ahead of the expected Trump-Xi meeting.
The restrictions reflect Washington's growing focus on securing critical technologies and infrastructure, but they could also accelerate the separation of US and Chinese technology markets.

THE FUTURE OF ROBOTICS

Humanoid and quadruped robots are still primarily used in controlled industrial environments such as automobile factories, warehouses and other specialised workplaces.
However, the technology is developing rapidly, with companies working towards robots capable of performing increasingly complex tasks alongside humans.
The US restrictions could reshape how these machines enter the American market and encourage domestic manufacturers to expand production.
At the same time, China's strong manufacturing capacity and growing domestic market mean that its robotics industry is unlikely to slow significantly.
The latest decision therefore represents not only a national security measure but also another chapter in the growing technological competition between the world's two largest economies