US-China Tech War: Trump Administration Strikes Again with Full Ban on Imports of China's Next-Gen Humanoid Robots; Beijing Criticizes 'Overbroad National Security' Claims

The Trump (Donald Trump) administration has announced a ban on importing new foreign-made humanoid robots into the United States, citing 'unacceptable risks' to American national security. Many of these robots are manufactured in China, which is competing with the U.S. in the development of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The measure, announced on Tuesday, July 28, applies to advanced robots, including humanoid and quadruped robots. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also banned the import of power inverters—devices used in data centers and solar panels. The FCC stated that these could also pose risks to the U.S. economy.

China's Foreign Ministry responded on Wednesday, July 29, saying: 'China consistently and firmly opposes the U.S. practice of overextending the concept of national security to suppress Chinese enterprises.'

Prior to this, the Chinese Embassy in the United States commented that Beijing has long opposed Washington's use of 'baseless pretexts' to 'politicize' trade issues and impose sanctions.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated that the agency is doing everything it can to 'secure America's critical supply chains.'

The FCC has added these products to its 'Covered List,' a registry of goods and services deemed to pose risks to U.S. national security.

The ban applies to new foreign-made advanced robotic devices and power inverters but will not prevent the sale or import of any existing models previously approved by the FCC.

The FCC said that using foreign-made inverters could allow overseas companies to shut down equipment, steal data, conduct remote access and surveillance, enabling 'foreign government actors' to intervene or otherwise exploit them through cyberattacks.

The FCC added that using robots manufactured outside the U.S. could allow 'malicious actors to surveil Americans, enhance foreign intelligence capabilities, or remotely control robots.'

The Chinese Embassy in the United States stated that Beijing will 'take all necessary measures' in response to any actions that harm its interests and urged countries to jointly cooperate to develop artificial intelligence in a 'positive and beneficial manner.'

China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday: 'Protectionism does not enhance America's competitiveness; it only harms the interests of American businesses and consumers. China will continue to take necessary measures to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.'

BBC has contacted China's major robot manufacturers Unitree, UBTech, and AgiBot for comment.

As the Trump administration seeks to address trade imbalances with the world's second-largest economy, Chinese exports have come under intense scrutiny in the United States.

Despite China being the world's largest exporter of electric vehicles, Chinese EVs are effectively excluded from the U.S. market due to high tariffs imposed by America.

Washington has also banned the sale of the most advanced U.S. semiconductors to China to protect national security, slow Beijing's military modernization, and maintain America's lead in artificial intelligence.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also warned that Chinese AI companies could face sanctions if accused of stealing American intellectual property.

In response, the Chinese government stated that the development of Chinese AI 'relies on its own relentless efforts and also benefits from mutually beneficial international cooperation.'

It is clear that the U.S. wants to avoid a repeat of last year's supply chain pressures, when China tightened export controls on rare earths—critical raw materials for electronics.

Chinese tech companies are rapidly developing humanoid robots for use in factories and homes.

These companies are also aggressively marketing their products to businesses and the public, aiming to capture market share ahead of American humanoid robot competitors such as Elon Musk's Tesla and Boston Dynamics.