US tightens restrictions on foreign drones and robots as China dominates humanoid manufacturing

In July and August, the Trump administration tightened restrictions on foreign-made advanced robotic systems and imposed steep tariffs on imported drones and their components, moves that the White House said are designed to bolster national security and strengthen U.S. supply chains. The FCC's Covered List, established in 2021 and previously focused on telecommunications equipment from companies such as Huawei and ZTE, has been expanded to cover foreign-made drones and, most recently, advanced robotic devices.

The restrictions come as Chinese manufacturers have built dominant positions in both drones and humanoid robots, often at prices U.S. and European rivals cannot match. According to a report by Counterpoint Research, global humanoid robot shipments reached 22,000 units in the first half of 2026, the vast majority from Chinese makers. The world's five largest humanoid robot manufacturers by shipments — AgiBot, Unitree, Galbot, UBTECH and Leju Robotics — are all Chinese and together accounted for 86% of global shipments in the period.

Industry analysts said the U.S. actions may not directly address China's manufacturing scale and cost advantages. Unlike semiconductors, robotics does not hinge on a single technology that one country can easily control, said Ankur Saxena, an investment director at TDK Ventures. Chinese makers are pushing costs down by bringing more of the technology stack in-house and leveraging China's existing manufacturing base, noted Soumen Mandal, a principal analyst at Counterpoint Research.

The result could be a fragmented global market, with Chinese companies expanding elsewhere while U.S. and allied manufacturers compete in markets where security requirements matter more, according to analysts and executives who spoke with TechCrunch.

Why This Matters

The restrictions could reshape global supply chains for drones and robotics, affecting industries from agriculture to defense that rely on these technologies.
China's cost and scale advantages allow it to deploy more robots, generating real-world data that further improves its technology — a cycle U.S. tariffs alone may not break.
The moves signal a broader escalation in strategic technology competition, with potential knock-on effects for allied countries' access to advanced robotics.

Background

Over the past several years, the U.S. has steadily expanded restrictions on foreign technology deemed a national security risk, starting with telecommunications equipment and expanding to drones and robotics. The FCC's Covered List now includes devices from a range of Chinese companies. Meanwhile, China's robotics industry has grown rapidly, leveraging government support, a vast manufacturing base, and domestic supply chains. Humanoid robots have become a particular focus, with Chinese makers achieving both high volume and low cost.

Key Perspectives

U.S. policymakers: The tariffs and expanded restrictions are necessary to protect national security and reduce dependence on foreign adversaries for critical technologies.
Chinese manufacturers: The barriers may push them to accelerate expansion into other global markets where security concerns are less prominent, leveraging cost advantages.
Critics/Skeptics: Some analysts question whether export controls and tariffs can effectively counter China's manufacturing scale, especially given robotics' distributed supply chain. The restrictions could also raise costs for U.S. businesses reliant on affordable drones and robots.

What to Watch

Whether Chinese robotics companies increase shipments to markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America as U.S. access narrows.
The impact of component tariffs (scheduled for 2027) on U.S. firms that assemble robots using imported parts.
Any signs of U.S. or allied investment in domestic robotics manufacturing to close the scale gap.

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