U.S. bans imports of foreign-made advanced robots and power inverters citing security concerns

The Federal Communications Commission announced on Tuesday that it will block the import of new foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, including humanoid and four-legged machines, as well as power inverters used in data centres and solar installations. The items were placed on the FCC’s Covered List, which identifies goods deemed a risk to U.S. national security. The ban does not affect previously authorised models that have already been cleared for entry.

Commissioner Brendan Carr said the action is intended to protect America’s critical supply chains and prevent potential threats such as remote shutdowns, data theft, or cyber-enabled surveillance by foreign actors. The agency warned that foreign-made inverters could be exploited to disrupt power systems or enable unauthorized access, while imported robots might be used for surveillance or could be commandeered remotely.

China’s embassy in Washington responded that Beijing opposes what it described as the politicisation of trade issues and warned of “necessary measures” if U.S. actions harm Chinese interests. The embassy called for international cooperation on artificial intelligence development and urged the United States to refrain from targeting Chinese companies.

The move comes amid broader U.S. efforts to address trade imbalances and protect emerging technologies, including previous restrictions on Chinese semiconductor sales and warnings from Treasury officials about possible sanctions on Chinese AI firms.