Trump slaps new tariffs on drones, including from some key U.S. allies

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that his administration will impose tariffs on drones and their components, including from key allies such as the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The tariffs, which range from 10% to 100%, aim to address the U.S.'s perceived over-reliance on foreign sources for drone technology.

The 100% tariff is imposed on larger drones with heightened national security significance, while smaller drones face a 25% tariff. Smaller drones and their components from the aforementioned countries will incur a 15% tariff, while those from the UK will be subject to a 10% ad valorem tariff. These measures, which will take effect within a month, stem from a review conducted by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who found that foreign producers rely heavily on U.S. markets and that the domestic industry cannot meet security requirements.