FCC Bans Foreign-Made Humanoid Robot Imports, Targeting Chinese Suppliers
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing cybersecurity and supply-chain risks in a move that effectively targets China. Beijing responded by accusing Washington of protectionism, and analysts warn the restrictions will be tested ahead of a planned September meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Trump.
What the FCC is restricting
FCC chairperson Brendan Carr said Tuesday the move was intended to “secure America’s critical supply chains.” The ban applies to “new versions” of foreign-made humanoid robots, quadruped robots (often described as four-legged robot dogs), and power inverters. The FCC argued that advanced robotics pose cybersecurity and other national security risks and that offshore production leaves U.S. supply chains vulnerable to disruption.
Power inverters convert direct current electricity into alternating current electricity and are used in renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances. Industry analysts expect the inverter restrictions to have wider downstream effects across those sectors.
The robot bans do not affect the continued use of existing devices, nor do they block Chinese companies from selling models that were previously approved by the United States, according to Morningstar analyst Cheng Wang. Existing units in the U.S. market are not part of the restriction.
Why China is the focus
China dominates the global market for humanoid robots with an estimated market share of roughly 85%. Of around 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, two of China’s largest advanced robotics companies, Unitree and AGIBOT, each shipped more than 5,000 units. Their U.S. counterparts, including Tesla and Figure AI, each shipped a few hundred or less, according to the technology research and advisory group Omdia.
China has been rapidly expanding the use of robots, supported by national policies for its technology sector. Morgan Stanley analysts forecast its market for humanoids could reach $15 billion by 2030.
“Chinese manufacturers have been scaling production and reducing costs faster than most overseas competitors,” said Kangyuxiao Li, an analyst at Morningstar. “Restricting their access to the U.S. removes an important future market and protects U.S. developers from potential price competition. However, it will not materially slow China’s overall humanoid development, given the size of its domestic manufacturing base and opportunities in other export markets.”
How Beijing and analysts are responding
China’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of overstretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies and said Beijing would take “all measures necessary” to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses.
“Protectionism does not make the U.S. more competitive, and it will only hurt the interests of U.S. companies and consumers,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a regular news conference Wednesday in Beijing.
Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at the New America think tank focused on Chinese technology policies, called the measures “a steady drumbeat of potential flashpoints heading into [the] Trump-Xi summit planned for September.” The Pentagon recently included Unitree and several other major Chinese technology companies on a list of firms it said have ties to or aid the Chinese military, a claim Beijing has rejected.
What it could mean for U.S.-China tech collaboration
Lian Jye Su, a chief analyst at Omdia, said the new bans could potentially interfere with collaborations between U.S. and Chinese technology companies. He pointed to Nvidia, which in June revealed a humanoid robot reference design that uses the humanoid chassis of China’s Unitree. U.S. policymakers are also weighing controls on the use of Chinese open-weight artificial intelligence models, an issue that has grown in importance as Chinese AI has rapidly gained ground.
FAQ
What did the FCC ban?
The FCC banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots, quadruped robots, and power inverters, citing cybersecurity and supply-chain risks. The restrictions apply to “new versions” of such imports and target China, which dominates the global humanoid robot market.
Why are humanoid robots a national security concern?
The FCC said advanced robotics pose cybersecurity and other national security risks and that offshore production leaves U.S. supply chains vulnerable to disruption. The Pentagon has also added Unitree and other major Chinese technology firms to a list of companies it says have ties to or aid the Chinese military, a claim Beijing rejects.
Will the ban slow China’s humanoid robot industry?
Morningstar analyst Kangyuxiao Li said the restrictions will not materially slow China’s overall humanoid development, given the size of its domestic manufacturing base and opportunities in other export markets. The U.S. represents an important future market, but Chinese producers such as Unitree and AGIBOT already shipped more than 5,000 units each globally in 2025.
This article summarizes reporting from latimes.com.