The Trump administration has announced a ban on new foreign-made advanced robots, including humanoid and four-legged machines, citing what it described as “unacceptable risks” to US national security.

According to BBC, the restrictions, unveiled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday, are expected to primarily affect Chinese manufacturers, as China is currently the world’s largest producer of humanoid robots. The FCC also prohibited imports of foreign-made power inverters used in solar panels and data centres, warning they could expose critical infrastructure to cyber threats.

According to the FCC, foreign-built robots could potentially be exploited for surveillance, remote control or intelligence gathering by hostile state actors. The new measures apply only to future imports and do not affect existing models that were previously authorised.

China swiftly condemned the decision. Its embassy in Washington accused the US of politicising trade and imposing sanctions on “groundless pretexts”, while warning Beijing would take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests. It also urged the US to stop targeting Chinese companies and to promote international cooperation in artificial intelligence.

The move marks another escalation in the technology rivalry between Washington and Beijing. In recent years, the US has tightened restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports to China, while Chinese exports have faced higher tariffs and increased scrutiny. Meanwhile, Chinese robotics firms have rapidly expanded their presence, bringing humanoid robots to factories, businesses and homes ahead of several American competitors.