Trump's robot ban aims to counter China. US startups fear it could leave them behind.

Trump's robot ban aims to counter China. US startups fear it could leave them behind.

Trump's FCC blocks new foreign robotic devices, targeting Chinese suppliers (90% humanoid market); existing models exempted but future imports halted citing national security. US startups lose affordable hardware access (Unitree quadrupeds $3k, humanoids $6k) while domestic makers remain pre-commercial; decision risks ceding robotics leadership to China's continued global dominance.