The Trump administration has banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots, robot dogs and power inverters, citing "unacceptable" risks to US national security. The move, announced by the Federal Communications Commission, primarily targets China, which dominates global manufacturing in these categories, and reflects longstanding US concerns that Chinese-made devices could be remotely controlled, used for surveillance, or exploited in cyberattacks.

The FCC said exemptions could be granted where a device is found not to pose a security risk, and existing solar power inverters already installed in US homes are unaffected. Humanoid robots remain a niche market, with only around 15,000 units shipped worldwide in 2025, mostly from China's two leading manufacturers. The ban follows earlier US actions against Chinese technology, including the forced sale of TikTok and restrictions on consumer routers and surveillance equipment makers Hikvision and Dahua. Beijing's foreign ministry said China would take "all measures necessary" to protect its companies, and the announcement comes ahead of a planned September state visit to Washington by Chinese Premier Xi Jinping.