US FCC Bans Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots in National Security Move Targeting China

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security risks in a move that primarily targets China, which dominates the global market for humanoid robotics with an estimated 85% market share.

The Ban Details

The FCC's ban applies to new versions of foreign-made humanoid robots and also includes quadruped robots—often referred to as four-legged robot dogs. The agency stated that imports of advanced robots pose cybersecurity and other national security risks, while offshore production leaves U.S. supply chains vulnerable to disruptions.

Power inverters, which convert direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity and are used in renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances, are also subject to the ban. FCC Chairperson Brendan Carr stated the move was designed to "secure America's critical supply chains."

Market Context: China's Dominance

China dominates the global humanoid robot market with an estimated 85% market share. Of the around 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, Chinese manufacturers accounted for the majority:

• Unitree and AGIBOT (two of China's largest advanced robotics companies) each shipped more than 5,000 units
• Tesla and Figure AI (U.S. counterparts) each shipped only a few hundred or less

This market dominance has led to concerns about U.S. competitiveness and supply chain security.

Future Market Outlook

Morgan Stanley analysts forecast China's humanoid robot market could reach $15 billion by 2030, reflecting rapid expansion driven by supportive policies in the Chinese technology sector. Analyst Kangyuxiao Li at Morningstar noted that "Chinese manufacturers have been scaling production and reducing costs faster than most overseas competitors."

Diplomatic Implications

The ban is likely to test relations with Beijing ahead of a planned U.S. visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in September. China's Foreign Ministry has hit back at the U.S. move, accusing Washington of overstretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies.

China stated it will take "all measures necessary" to defend the legitimate rights and interests of its businesses, while ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that "protectionism does not make the U.S. more competitive, and it will only hurt the interests of U.S. companies and consumers."

Broader Trade Context

The FCC's bans follow a slew of U.S. restrictions on imports of Chinese products, including drones, and on exports of U.S. advanced technology to China. The Pentagon recently included Unitree and several other major Chinese technology companies on its list of firms that it said have ties to or aid the Chinese military—a claim Beijing has rejected.

Industry analysts warn that the new bans could potentially interfere with collaborations between U.S. and Chinese technology companies, including Nvidia's humanoid robot reference design which uses the humanoid chassis of China's Unitree.

This story was reported by AP News on July 29, 2026.