Trump administration bans new Chinese humanoid robots
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is banning new imports of foreign-made humanoid robots into the United States due to “unacceptable risks” to America’s national security.
The locomotion applies to advanced robots, including humanoids and quadrupedal machines. Most of these are produced in China, which is competing with the United States to develop robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also banned the import of power inverters (devices used in data centers and solar panels), which it said could also pose a risk to the US economy.
The Chinese embassy in Washington said Beijing has long opposed US “politicisation” of trade issues and sanctions based on “baseless excuses”.
FCC chairman Brendan Carr said the agency was doing its part “to secure America’s critical supply chains.”
The FCC added these items to its Comprehensive List of goods and services deemed to pose a risk to U.S. national security.
The ban applies to new advanced robotic devices and transducers manufactured abroad and does not prevent the sale or import of existing models previously permitted by the FCC.
The FCC expressed concern that the use of foreign-made inverters could allow overseas firms to shut them down, steal data, “facilitate remote access and surveillance by foreign government actors, or otherwise be exploited through a cyberattack.”
He added that the use of robots produced outside the United States could allow “malicious actors to spy on Americans, augment the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or remotely control robots.”
The Chinese embassy in Washington also said Beijing would “take all necessary measures” in response to any moves that harm its interests and called on all countries to work together to develop artificial intelligence in a “positive and good direction.”
He called on the US to “abandon its hegemonic mentality, stop smearing Chinese companies and threatening them with sanctions.”
The BBC contacted leading Chinese robot manufacturers Unitree, UBTech and AgiBot for comment.
