Trump targets China-dominated drone industry with tariffs of up to 100 per cent

President Donald Trump unveiled tariffs of up to 100 percent on unmanned drone imports and their components on Thursday, aiming to lessen the United States' dependence on foreign-made drones, according to a White House statement. The tariffs target drones weighing over 25 kilograms, particularly those equipped with national security features like thermal imagers and docking stations, with a 100 percent duty rate.

Smaller drones will face a 25 percent tariff. The White House stated that these measures would "stimulate increased domestic drone production" and lessen the nation's reliance on foreign supply chains. China's DJI, launched in 2006, has amassed over two-thirds of the global drone market in recent years, as per multiple reports. The new tariffs are set to commence on September 3.

Last week, China implemented restrictions on drone exports to the United States and blacklisted six companies in retaliation for Washington's trade sanctions due to alleged forced labor and national security issues. This action followed the U.S. imposition of additional tariffs on China and 59 other countries the previous day.