The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has decided to prohibit 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 measures. These actions are expected to strain relations with Beijing, especially with Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in September. China currently holds a significant share of approximately 85% in the global market for humanoid robots.
The ban imposed by the FCC also extends to new imports of quadruped robots, commonly known as four-legged robot dogs. The agency highlighted that the importation of advanced robots poses cybersecurity and other national security risks, emphasizing the vulnerability of U.S. supply chains to disruptions from offshore production.
Moreover, the ban on power inverters, which are crucial for converting direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) in renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances, could have far-reaching implications. FCC Chair Brendan Carr emphasized that the objective of the move is to safeguard America’s critical supply chains, applying the bans specifically to “new versions” of such imports.
The FCC’s recent restrictions align with a series of measures targeting Chinese imports by the U.S., which includes limitations on drones and the control of U.S. advanced technology exports to China. Additionally, the U.S. is contemplating regulations on the usage of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models at a time when Chinese AI technologies are rapidly advancing.
China’s rapid integration of robots into various sectors, supported by favorable policies for its technology industry, is forecasted to drive its humanoid robot market to a value of $15 billion US by 2030, according to Morgan Stanley analysts. Despite the restrictions limiting Chinese access to the U.S. market, analysts like Kangyuxiao Li from Morningstar suggest that it may not significantly impede China’s overall humanoid development due to its robust domestic manufacturing base and opportunities in other export markets.
In response to the U.S. actions, China’s Foreign Ministry criticized Washington for stretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies, vowing to take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights of Chinese businesses. The ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, cautioned that protectionist measures would not enhance U.S. competitiveness and could potentially harm the interests of U.S. companies and consumers.
Furthermore, the new bans could potentially disrupt collaborations between U.S. and Chinese technology firms, as noted by Lian Jye Su, a chief analyst at Omdia. For instance, Nvidia recently unveiled a humanoid robot reference design in June that utilizes the humanoid chassis produced by China’s Unitree. The Pentagon’s inclusion of Unitree and other major Chinese technology companies on its list of firms allegedly linked to the Chinese military has been rejected by Beijing.