US bans Chinese labs from testing electronics ahead of Trump-Xi meeting

The United States has imposed a ban on Chinese laboratories from testing electronic devices destined for the American market, in a move just weeks before President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to prohibit testing facilities in China and other countries without a "mutual recognition agreement" or reciprocal trade deal with the US.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the ban aims to "restore balance and fairness with respect to America's dealings with foreign nations" and allows only US-based or reciprocal economy-based test labs. The ban is set to take effect in December 2028, providing domestic labs with more than two years to bolster their testing capabilities.

According to the FCC, more than 80% of the tested devices are currently being tested in Chinese facilities described as "bad labs", some of which may have ties to the People's Liberation Army. This aggressive stance by the FCC, one of the Trump administration's most assertive agencies, targets Chinese technology companies, even as other departments have taken a more measured approach.

The FCC's actions have led to the restriction of two devices containing HiSilicon chips, used for surveillance, and bans on new Chinese robots, power inverters, and telecom operators. These measures come after a broader crackdown in December last year, where the FCC introduced restrictions across several sectors, including a ban on Chinese drones.

China has retaliated with tighter export controls on drones and related technologies, sanctioning US testing firms, and launching its first national security investigation related to foreign trade, all while engaging in a series of tariffs, export controls, and blacklisting actions.