The Federal Communications Commission barred new versions of foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots and connected power inverters from import. The FCC announced a ban on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots, quadruped robot dogs and connected power inverters on national-security grounds. The restrictions target Chinese supply chains even though the initial category description used broader foreign-made language.
China accounts for an estimated 85% of the global humanoid-robot market, according to market figures cited by AP. Unitree and AGIBOT each shipped more than 5,000 of the roughly 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, while major U.S. firms shipped hundreds or fewer.
Power inverters convert direct current to alternating current and are used in renewable-energy systems, data centers and household equipment. China's Foreign Ministry accused the United States of using national security as a pretext for protectionism and said it would defend Chinese companies.
Connected industrial robots can collect sensor data and receive remote software updates, creating legitimate cyber and maintenance questions alongside trade competition. A ban on new versions can leave questions about existing devices, spare parts, software support, exemptions and products assembled through third countries.
U.S. technology policy already restricts Chinese drones, routers and advanced chips, so the new action extends an existing control framework. As of the edition cutoff, The complete covered-product list, exemption process, treatment of existing imports and economic impact were not yet published in operational detail. The available reports distinguish measurements and attributed claims from conclusions that had not yet been established. Where officials supplied numbers, those figures remain subject to revision as agencies reconcile records and publish later updates. Subsequent records may therefore change the totals without changing the initial chronology. The next factual records to examine are FCC implementation guidance and supplier exemptions and Chinese retaliation and changes in U.S. robotics or inverter prices.