The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced new restrictions on imports of Chinese-made robots and power inverters, citing national security concerns and efforts to strengthen the country's artificial intelligence supply chain.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on July 28 that the measures prohibit the import of new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as connected power inverters used to link renewable energy systems, batteries, data centres, and power grids, Reuters reports.
According to the FCC, the restrictions are intended to reduce risks to critical infrastructure and prevent potential supply chain disruptions, cyberattacks, and data theft.
"These devices could create supply chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt U.S. economic and national security and could create a cybersecurity risk that threatens American critical infrastructure," the agency said in a statement. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr added that the commission would continue efforts to secure the country's critical supply chains.
The move is part of a broader strategy to protect the U.S. artificial intelligence sector while encouraging companies to shift manufacturing to the United States.
China criticised the decision, with its embassy in Washington urging the United States to "heed the objective and rational voices of the business communities in both countries" and stop targeting Chinese companies with sanctions. The embassy warned that Beijing would "take all necessary measures" in response to actions that materially harm China's interests.
The restrictions come as analysts predict rapid growth in the use of AI-powered humanoid robots across consumer and industrial sectors, while the expansion of U.S. data centres is expected to increase demand for reliable power inverters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously warned that Chinese artificial intelligence companies could face sanctions over allegations of intellectual property theft.
U.S. officials have also expressed concern about becoming dependent on Chinese technology in strategic industries, seeking to avoid a situation similar to the global reliance on China's rare earth mineral supply, which Beijing has used as leverage in international trade.
The new rules took effect immediately upon publication and apply only to robot and inverter models that have not yet entered the U.S. market. However, the FCC retains the authority to revoke authorisations for products that have already been approved for sale.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the FCC is expected to exempt many non-Chinese suppliers from the restrictions, similar to previous measures affecting foreign-made drones and networking equipment.
By Sabina Mammadli
