The FCC is blocking imports of new Chinese humanoid robots and robot dogs. But the rule's broad definition also sweeps in Roombas, robotic lawn mowers, and delivery bots.
The Trump administration has used the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ban imports of new foreign "advanced robotic devices" and internet-connected Chinese power inverters. According to Reuters via Nikkei, the measure took effect on July 28, 2026, the day it was published. The stated goals are to protect the US AI buildout from Chinese threats including disruption, data theft, and cyberattacks, and to bring manufacturing back to the US.
Why the government treats robots as a security risk
The administration's National Security Determination lays out two main arguments.
The first is a supply chain vulnerability. Global manufacturing of advanced robots and their critical parts, including actuators, grippers, batteries, and sensors, is increasingly concentrated in a handful of countries. Some of those countries have repeatedly shown a willingness to disrupt US supply chains during geopolitical tensions. If the US economy keeps relying on foreign sources, it subjects itself to "the whims of foreign entities that could disrupt or degrade the supply chains at a time of their choosing," the document states.
