The Trump administration on Tuesday banned imports of new Chinese humanoid robots and power inverters, citing threats to national security and supply chain vulnerabilities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expanded its Covered List to include advanced robotic devices—such as mobile humanoids and quadrupeds—and connected power inverters, effectively prohibiting their entry into the United States.
The move targets equipment the FCC says poses risks to U.S. artificial intelligence infrastructure and could undermine efforts to reshore critical industries. The ban reflects an escalating technology rivalry between the U.S. and China, as both nations race to dominate robotics and AI development.
Robots covered include humanoid forms designed to mimic human movement and four-legged models used in industrial and military applications. Power inverters, which convert direct current to alternating current, are vital components in solar energy systems and electric vehicle charging networks. The FCC did not name China directly but described the items as foreign-made equipment that could be manipulated to disrupt U.S. networks or supply chains.
The announcement comes amid broader U.S. efforts to restrict Chinese technology access, including semiconductor and telecommunications equipment bans. The FCC’s Covered List now includes over a dozen categories of devices deemed national security risks.