The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has decided to prohibit the importation of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters due to national security concerns, specifically targeting China. In response, Beijing has criticized the U.S., calling it protectionist. This move is expected to strain relations with China prior to Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in September. China currently holds a dominant position in the global humanoid robot market, with an estimated market share of around 85%.
The FCC’s ban also extends to new imports of quadruped robots, commonly known as four-legged robot dogs. The agency stated that the importation of advanced robots carries cybersecurity and other national security risks. The dependence on offshore production for such equipment makes U.S. supply chains susceptible to disruptions.
Additionally, the ban on power inverters, which are essential for converting direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity and are utilized in renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances, could have significant implications. FCC chair Brendan Carr emphasized that the objective of this action is to safeguard America’s critical supply chains, applying to the “new versions” of these imports.
The FCC’s restrictions are part of a series of measures taken by the U.S. against Chinese imports, including drones, and limitations on exporting advanced U.S. technology to China. There are also considerations regarding regulating the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models as Chinese AI continues to gain momentum.
China has been rapidly integrating robots into various sectors, supported by its technology policies. Analysts at Morgan Stanley project that China’s humanoid robot market could reach $15 billion US by 2030. Kangyuxiao Li, an analyst at Morningstar, noted that Chinese manufacturers have been enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs at a faster pace than their international counterparts. While restricting access to the U.S. market may safeguard U.S. developers from potential price competition, it may not significantly impede China’s overall progress in humanoid development due to its vast domestic manufacturing capabilities and opportunities in other export markets.
In 2025, approximately 15,000 humanoid robots were shipped globally, with China’s leading robotics companies, Unitree and AGIBOT, each shipping over 5,000 units. In comparison, their U.S. counterparts, such as Tesla and Figure AI, shipped a few hundred or fewer units, as reported by the research group Omdia.
Regarding the power inverter restrictions, Cheng Wang, another analyst at Morningstar, believes that the impact on U.S. markets will likely be minimal. The ban does not seem to affect the ongoing use of existing devices or the sale of previously approved models by Chinese companies in the U.S.
China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. measures, accusing Washington of stretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies. China vowed to take all necessary actions to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its businesses, emphasizing that protectionism harms U.S. companies and consumers without enhancing U.S. competitiveness.
The new bans may also disrupt collaborations between U.S. and Chinese tech firms, according to Lian Jye Su, a chief analyst at Omdia. For instance, Nvidia recently unveiled a humanoid robot reference design based on the chassis of China’s Unitree. The Pentagon has listed Unitree and several other major Chinese tech companies as entities linked to or supporting the Chinese military, a claim that Beijing has refuted.
