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. Beijing swiftly criticized the U.S. for engaging in protectionist practices. These actions are expected to strain relations with Beijing in anticipation of a forthcoming U.S. visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet with President Donald Trump in September. China currently dominates the global humanoid robot market, holding an estimated 85% share.
The FCC’s ban extends to new imports of quadruped robots, also known as four-legged robot dogs. The agency expressed concerns that the importation of advanced robots could pose cybersecurity and other national security risks, as offshore production of such equipment exposes U.S. supply chains to vulnerabilities.
Additionally, the ban on power inverters, which convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity for use in renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances, may have wide-ranging implications. FCC Chair Brendan Carr emphasized on Tuesday that the objective is to safeguard America’s critical supply chains, with the bans applying to “new versions” of these imports.
The FCC’s restrictions follow a series of U.S. measures targeting Chinese imports, including drones, as well as controls on the export of advanced U.S. technology to China. There are also deliberations on regulating the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models, coinciding with China’s rapid advancements in AI technology.
China has been progressively integrating robots into various sectors, supported by favorable technology policies. Analysts at Morgan Stanley project that China’s humanoid robot market could reach $15 billion by 2030. Despite the ban restricting Chinese access to the U.S. market, it is unlikely to significantly impede China’s overall humanoid development, given its robust domestic manufacturing capabilities and opportunities in other export markets.
Regarding the ban on power inverters, Morningstar analyst Cheng Wang believes the impact on U.S. markets will be minimal, as existing devices can continue to be used, and previously approved Chinese models can still be sold in the U.S.
In response to the U.S. actions, China’s Foreign Ministry criticized Washington for allegedly stretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies. China vowed to take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its businesses. The ministry spokesperson cautioned that protectionist measures do not enhance U.S. competitiveness and could harm the interests of American companies and consumers.
The new bans could potentially disrupt collaborations between U.S. and Chinese technology firms, according to Omdia’s chief analyst, Lian Jye Su. For instance, Nvidia recently unveiled a humanoid robot reference design utilizing the humanoid chassis developed by China’s Unitree. The Pentagon has included Unitree and other major Chinese tech companies on a list of firms purportedly linked to or aiding the Chinese military, a claim that Beijing has refuted.