The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is banning imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks, in a move that targets China.The measures are likely to test relations with Beijing ahead of a planned US visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to meet with US President Donald Trump in September. China dominates the global market for humanoid robots with an estimated market share of roughly 85 percent, according to Barclays PLC.The FCC ban includes new imports of quadruped robots — often referred to as robot dogs.
A worker stands near a line of humanoid robots displayed at the World AI Conference in Shanghai on July 17.
The agency said imports of advanced robots pose cybersecurity and other national security risks. Offshore production of such equipment could leave US supply chains vulnerable to disruptions.
The ban on power inverters, which are used to convert direct current into alternating current electricity and are used in renewable energy systems, data centers and household appliances, could have sweeping ramifications.FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said on Tuesday that the move was to “secure America’s critical supply chains.” He said the bans apply to “new versions” of such imports.The FCC’s bans follow a slew of US restrictions on imports of Chinese products, including drones, and on exports of US advanced technology to China.“It’s a steady drumbeat of potential flashpoints heading into [the] Trump-Xi summit planned for September,” said Samm Sacks, a fellow at the New America think tank focusing on Chinese technology policies.China has been rapidly expanding use of robots, with policies supporting its technology sector. Morgan Stanley analysts forecast its market for humanoids could reach US$15 billion by 2030.“Chinese manufacturers have been scaling production and reducing costs faster than most overseas competitors,” Morningstar Inc analyst Li Kangyuxiao said.“Restricting their access to the US removes an important future market and protects US developers from potential price competition,” he said. “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.”Of the approximately 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally last year, Unitree Technology Co (宇樹科技) and Agibot Innovation (Shanghai) Technology Co (智元創新), two of China’s largest advanced robotics companies, each shipped more than 5,000. Their US counterparts, including Tesla Inc and Figure AI Inc, each shipped a few hundred or less, according to the technology research and advisory group Omdia.The new bans could interfere with collaborations between US and Chinese technology companies, Omdia chief analyst Lian Jye Su (蘇連傑) said.China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hit back at the US move, accusing Washington of overstretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies.China would take “all measures necessary” to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses, it said.“Protectionism does not make the US more competitive, and it will only hurt the interests of US companies and consumers,” ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning (毛寧) said at a regular press conference in Beijing yesterday.
