WASHINGTON: The Trump administration announced new measures on Tuesday aimed at curbing the import of Chinese-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks and efforts to bring critical industries back to the United States. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unveiled these restrictions, which target models that have not yet been introduced to the U.S. market.
The new rules specifically prohibit the import of certain Chinese robots—both humanoid and quadruped—and connected power inverters, essential components for integrating renewable energy sources and batteries into energy grids and data centers. These measures, first reported by Reuters, are part of a broader strategy to protect the U.S. AI supply chain from potential disruptions, cyber threats, and intellectual property theft, while also encouraging domestic manufacturing.
“The devices targeted by these restrictions could introduce vulnerabilities in our supply chains, potentially disrupting critical infrastructure and posing cybersecurity risks,” the FCC stated. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized the agency’s commitment to safeguarding American interests, noting that the restrictions aim to fortify national security.
In response, the Chinese embassy in Washington urged the U.S. to “heed the rational voices of business communities” and called on Washington to cease “smearing Chinese companies” and threatening them with sanctions. Beijing warned it would “take all necessary measures to defend its interests” if the restrictions caused significant harm.
Industry analysts anticipate widespread adoption of AI-powered humanoid robots across both consumer and industrial sectors. The U.S. also relies heavily on inverters for data center operations and renewable energy projects, making these restrictions particularly impactful.
U.S. officials have expressed concern that Chinese AI companies could be involved in intellectual property theft and espionage. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Chinese firms might face sanctions for such activities, highlighting fears that China could leverage its dominance in critical inputs like rare earth minerals to exert geopolitical influence—similar to recent tensions over export controls.
While many restrictions are expected to exclude non-Chinese suppliers, some sources indicate that the FCC retains authority to revoke approvals for already approved models. The restrictions are effective immediately but apply only to models not yet available for sale in the U.S.
President Donald Trump previously drew international attention to the security threats posed by China’s tech companies, especially regarding IP theft and espionage linked to firms like Huawei. However, his current approach appears more cautious amid ongoing trade tensions and export restrictions.
Targeted Chinese Companies Under Scrutiny
The new bans are expected to impact Chinese robotics firm Unitree, which holds a significant share of the global humanoid robot market. The company recently partnered with Nvidia to develop AI-driven robots, with data reportedly stored in the U.S. and major clients including American universities and research institutions.
U.S. lawmakers, such as Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, support these measures, arguing they will “protect our nation and bolster our robotics sector.” Meanwhile, China’s leading inverter manufacturers, Sungrow Power Supply and Huawei, face similar scrutiny as the U.S. seeks to curb China’s expanding influence in critical technology components.
The restrictions also aim to prevent potential cyberattacks from Chinese-backed hacking campaigns, like the Volt Typhoon operation uncovered in 2023, which targeted U.S. critical infrastructure through manipulated routers and other devices.
The U.S. Department of Defense already restricts procurement of solar components from foreign entities of concern, including Chinese firms. Both Huawei and Sungrow have yet to comment publicly on the new measures.
