U.S. bans imports of foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots, citing national security risks

The FCC ban, announced Tuesday, bars new imports of humanoid robots, four-legged "robot dogs," and power converters used in renewable energy infrastructure and data centers. FCC chairperson Brendan Carr said the move was intended to "secure America's critical supply chains," and noted the restrictions apply only to new imports, leaving existing deployed devices unaffected.

The interagency determination underpinning the ban warned that internet-connected robots "collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots," according to the FCC's statement. Officials drew a parallel to prior restrictions on Chinese-made electric vehicles and drones, including a December ban that effectively removed DJI from the U.S. market.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a Wednesday press conference that Beijing "consistently opposed" what she described as the U.S. practice of abusing national security concepts to suppress Chinese companies, and said China would take "all measures necessary" to defend the interests of its businesses. "Protectionism does not make the U.S. more competitive, and it will only hurt the interests of U.S. companies and consumers," she said.