US to slap 100% tariffs on drone imports in bid to counter China, cites ‘national security’ concerns
China's Shenzhen-based DJI Technologies accounts for about 70% of the US commercial drone market as of last year.
President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of up to 100 percent on unmanned drone imports and their components, aiming to reduce US reliance on Chinese-made drones. This move targets the industry dominated by China's Shenzhen-based DJI Technologies, which controls about 70% of the US commercial drone market. The White House justifies the tariff on national security grounds, protecting the US defense and defense-adjacent industrial base, and supporting American jobs.
The tariffs will apply to drones with a takeoff weight over 25 kilograms and those equipped with national security capabilities such as thermal cameras and docking stations, facing a 100 percent duty rate. Smaller drones will be subject to a 25 percent tariff. Additionally, the US imposed 15 percent tariffs on drones from the EU, Japan, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan, and a 10 percent tariff on drones from the United Kingdom, provided the hardware, software, and technology originate from within these countries and the US.
The tariffs are expected to take effect starting September 3, with the goal of promoting domestic drone production and reducing dependence on foreign supply chains.
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