US bans import of foreign humanoid robots, citing national security risks

The Donald Trump administration has decided to block the entry into the United States of advanced human-shaped robots and those with four limbs manufactured outside American territory, labeling them an unacceptable threat to the country’s security.

The ban also extends to power inverters used in data center infrastructure and solar plants.

The announcement came from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which registered these devices on the so-called Covered List, a catalog of products and services considered a risk to US national security.

Brendan Carr, the head of the FCC, stressed that the institution is acting to protect America’s vital supply chains.

According to the FCC’s arguments, robots manufactured in other countries could be used for surveillance of American citizens, to strengthen the capacities of foreign espionage services, or could be manipulated remotely by malicious groups.

It was also emphasized that power inverters could be misused to sabotage system operations, to appropriate sensitive information, or to undertake cyber attacks against critical infrastructure.

The measure exclusively affects the newest models of these devices and does not affect robots and inverters that have previously secured FCC permission to be traded in the United States.

The vast majority of sophisticated humanoid and four-legged robots are produced in China, a country that rivals the US in the robotics and artificial intelligence race.

In this context, the decision is interpreted as part of Washington’s strategy to maintain its technological advantage and reduce reliance on foreign solutions.

The Chinese embassy in Washington called the decision an act of politicizing trade and security relations.

Beijing declared that it opposes the use of “unsubstantiated justifications” to strike at Chinese firms and warned that it will respond with every necessary means to protect its own interests.

Likewise, Chinese authorities appealed to American authorities to leave behind the “hegemony mindset” and promote global cooperation for the advancement of artificial intelligence.