The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has issued a prohibition on the entry of new foreign-produced humanoid robots and power inverters, citing concerns about national security risks, particularly targeting China. Beijing swiftly criticized the U.S., labeling the action as protectionist.
These new regulations are expected to strain relations with Beijing, especially as Chinese leader Xi Jinping is scheduled 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 new imports of quadruped robots, commonly known as four-legged robot dogs, as the agency highlighted cybersecurity threats and other national security vulnerabilities associated with advanced robot imports. The dependency on offshore production for such equipment also exposes U.S. supply chains to potential disruptions.
Additionally, the ban encompasses power inverters, which are crucial for converting direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, essential for renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances. This move could have broad implications.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr emphasized on Tuesday that these actions aim to safeguard America’s critical supply chains, applying specifically to the “new versions” of the targeted imports.
A series of restrictions on Chinese imports by the U.S. have preceded the FCC’s bans, including limitations on drones and restrictions on the export of advanced U.S. technology to China. The U.S. is also contemplating regulations on the utilization of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models, coinciding with the rapid advancement of Chinese AI technologies.
The escalating tensions, according to Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at the New America think-tank focusing on Chinese technology policies, are setting the stage for potential challenges leading up to the Trump-Xi summit in September.
China has been rapidly integrating robots into various sectors, supported by favorable policies for its technology industry. Analysts from Morgan Stanley project that China’s humanoid robot market could reach $15 billion US by 2030.
Kangyuxiao Li, an analyst at Morningstar, noted that Chinese manufacturers have been enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs faster compared to international competitors. While restricting access to the U.S. market may shield American developers from pricing competition, it is unlikely to significantly impede China’s overall humanoid development due to its robust domestic manufacturing base and export opportunities.
Regarding power inverters, Cheng Wang, another analyst at Morningstar, expressed that the impact on U.S. markets is expected to be limited. The ban does not appear to affect the ongoing use of existing devices or the sale of previously approved models by Chinese companies in the U.S.
China swiftly responded to the U.S. measures, accusing Washington of leveraging national security claims to suppress Chinese companies. The Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed to take all necessary steps to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses, criticizing the U.S. for resorting to protectionism, which could harm U.S. companies and consumers.
The newly imposed bans may potentially disrupt collaborations between U.S. and Chinese tech firms, as highlighted by Lian Jye Su, a chief analyst at Omdia. For instance, Nvidia recently unveiled a humanoid robot reference design utilizing the chassis of China’s Unitree. The Pentagon has identified Unitree and other Chinese tech giants as having ties to or supporting the Chinese military, a claim that Beijing has refuted.