Trump bans new Chinese humanoid robots


The Trump administration announced Tuesday a ban on new imports of foreign‑made advanced robots, including humanoid and four‑legged models, citing national‑security risks.


The FCC also added power inverters—devices used in data centres and solar panels—to the covered list because they could be hacked or used for espionage.


Chinese officials accused the U.S. of politicising trade and threatened counter‑measures, while U.S. officials said they were safeguarding critical supply chains.


The ban does not affect existing models that were authorised before the ruling.


The move reflects a broader U.S. push to limit China’s AI and robotics gains and to maintain American leadership in emerging tech.



Row of humanoid robots
Chinese robot developers showcase their latest models.


Image: VCG via Getty Images.