‎Trump Announces a Complete Ban on Importation of Chinese Humanoid Robots‎

‎United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a total ban on foreign- Chinese made humanoid robot imports to the US citing “unacceptable risks” to America’s national security.
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‎The Ban applies to advanced robots – including humanoid and four-legged machines. Many of which are made in China, which is competing with the US to develop robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
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‎The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also banned imports of power inverters – devices used in data centres and solar panels – which it said could also pose a risk to the US economy.
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‎The Chinese embassy in Washington said Beijing has long opposed the US’ “politicising” of trade issues and sanctions based on “groundless pretexts”.
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‎FCC chairman Brendan Carr said the agency was doing its part “to secure America’s critical supply chains”.
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‎The FCC has added the items to its Covered List – a register of goods and services that are deemed a risk to US national security.
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‎The ban applies to new foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters and does not prevent the sale or import of any existing models that had been previously authorised by the FCC.
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‎The FCC cited concerns that the use of foreign-made inverters could allow overseas firms to turn them off, steal data, facilitate remote access and surveillance by “foreign government actors, or be otherwise exploited through a cyberattack”.
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‎Presently, China produces roughly 2,250 to 2,400 industrial and service robots per day on average, based on recent national output numbers.
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‎Specific high-tech humanoid assembly lines (such as the facility in Guangdong) roll out one advanced humanoid unit every 30 minutes, equaling roughly 48 units per day for that single specialized line.
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‎It added that the use of robots made outside the US could allow “malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots”.
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‎The Chinese embassy in Washington also said Beijing will “take all necessary measures” in response to any moves that harm its interests, urging all countries to work together to develop AI “for the positive and for good”.
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‎Chinese technology firms have rapidly developed humanoid robots to be used in settings including factories and homes.
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‎Despite being the world’s biggest exporter of electric vehicles, China has been effectively shut out of the American market by a steep tariff.
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‎Washington has also blocked the sale of cutting-edge US semiconductors to China in a bid to protect national security, slow Beijing’s military modernisation and maintain America’s lead in AI.
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‎In response the Chinese government has said its country’s development of AI was “the result of its own dedication and effort as well as international cooperation”.
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