US bans imports of new Chinese robots over security concerns

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing AFP and Reuters, reported that the United States has barred imports of newly covered Chinese-made humanoid robots, four-legged robot dogs and power inverters, citing cybersecurity and national security concerns. The Federal Communications Commission announced the measure on Tuesday, and the rules took effect immediately. The restrictions apply to models that have not yet been cleared for sale in the US, rather than products already authorised.

The FCC added the equipment to a national-security prohibition list, saying such devices could expose critical infrastructure to supply-chain and cyber risks if they were compromised or remotely controlled by foreign actors. Power inverters are used to connect solar panels, batteries and other power sources to the grid and data-centre systems, while advanced robots are increasingly deployed in industrial and research settings.

Al Jazeera reported that the decision is expected to affect Unitree, a Chinese robotics company that has worked with Nvidia technology. The Pentagon recently placed Unitree on a list of firms it alleges are linked to China’s military, an allegation Beijing denies. China’s embassy in Washington criticised the FCC action, urged the US to stop targeting Chinese companies, and said China would respond to measures that materially harm its interests.

The move fits into a broader US push to reduce dependence on Chinese technology in sectors tied to artificial intelligence, energy and data infrastructure. It also comes as the Trump administration encourages more advanced manufacturing in the US, where companies including Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics and Boston Dynamics are developing or assembling humanoid robots. The decision may deepen already strained US-China disputes over chips, AI, trade and strategic supply chains.