The Trump administration has banned the import and sale of new humanoid and quadruped robots from China, alongside connected power inverters, citing national security concerns and a desire to bolster the domestic artificial intelligence industry. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated these items as prohibited, preventing their importation, marketing, or sale within the United States.
The White House stated that advanced robotic devices can collect data that could be exploited by malicious actors for surveillance of Americans, to enhance foreign intelligence capabilities, or for remote commandeering of the robots. A White House-convened interagency body issued a national security determination concluding that internet-connected robots pose data privacy and cybersecurity risks to Americans. The FCC further warned that such machines could create supply chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt U.S. economic and national security, and pose cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure.
China is a major global producer of humanoid robots, and the ban highlights an escalating artificial intelligence competition between Washington and Beijing. Analysts suggest China has established a lead in AI consumer applications and AI-enabled hardware, leveraging its manufacturing capacity. While current humanoid robots perform basic tasks such as customer service or simple household chores, technologists are actively developing more advanced capabilities, anticipating their widespread use in homes, schools, workplaces, and factories.
This move is seen by some as a significant opportunity for U.S. companies, including Tesla and numerous startups, that are developing their own humanoid robots. The restrictions, however, do not affect robots already in the market, and consumers can continue to use devices they have already purchased. Retailers are also permitted to import and sell existing models that have already received FCC authorization.
Beijing has responded critically to the new restrictions. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the U.S. of misusing national security justifications to suppress Chinese companies. Mao stated that China would "take necessary measures" to protect its interests, asserting that protectionism ultimately harms the interests of American businesses and consumers rather than enhancing U.S. competitiveness.
Humanoid robots represent a potentially substantial market within the burgeoning AI sector. However, the development and deployment of robotics have not been without controversy. In a separate development, earlier this month, robots performed surgery on a live patient, successfully completing two laparoscopic gallbladder removals. Conversely, a school district in upstate New York recently paused plans to deploy a Canadian-made AI humanoid robot in classrooms following public outcry over the robot's ties to a company that produces hyper-realistic sex dolls.