Humanoid robots: Trump's latest China trade battle?
The US has banned foreign-made humanoid robots, a market Chinese tech firms dominate. Although Washington cited national security risks, analysts think Donald Trump is buying time for US robot makers to catch up.
The Trump administration has banned the entry of new foreign-made humanoid and four-legged robots into the United States, citing unacceptable risks to national security. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made the decision, noting that the robots could collect data that could be used for surveillance, intelligence enhancement, or remote control.
China accounts for 85% of humanoid robot deployments, according to Barclays. Unitree Robotics, a leading Chinese robot maker, is on the Pentagon's list of firms linked to the Chinese military, with its robots used in army exercises. Critics argue that the ban could slow US AI innovation, as researchers benefit from testing budget-friendly Chinese robots, while supporters see it as a move to protect the domestic robotics industry and ensure US leadership in the field.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Business)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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