US Government Prohibits New Foreign Humanoid Robots and Inverters

WHO:

Fox Business - FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated his support for the new regulations.

Fox Business - The FCC is an agency involved in the decision-making process.

WHAT:

AP News - The FCC's ban on foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters 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 Trump in September.

AP News - Analysts forecast that China's market for humanoid robots could reach $15 billion by 2030.

AP News - Of the approximately 15,000 humanoid robots shipped globally in 2025, China's Unitree and AGIBOT each shipped more than 5,000, while U.S. counterparts like Tesla and Figure AI shipped a few hundred or less.

AP News - The FCC's ban on power inverters could have sweeping ramifications for renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances.

Fox Business - The FCC's action follows national security determinations by a White House-convened executive branch interagency body, which concluded that these products pose unacceptable risks to America's critical infrastructure and supply chains.

Fox Business - The FCC's new regulations specifically target foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, including humanoids and quadrupeds, due to their potential to expose critical infrastructure and sensitive data to foreign adversaries.

AP News - The FCC's ban on foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters is primarily targeting China due to national security concerns.

AP News - The FCC's ban includes new imports of quadruped robots, often referred to as four-legged robot dogs.

AP News - The FCC's bans are part of a broader trend of U.S. restrictions on imports of Chinese products, including drones and advanced technology exports to China.

AP News - The FCC's bans apply specifically to "new versions" of such imports.

AP News - The U.S. is also weighing controls on the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models at a time when Chinese AI is rapidly gaining ground.

AP News - 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.

AP News - The U.S. is weighing controls on the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models as Chinese AI rapidly gains ground.

AP News - The FCC's bans are part of a broader trend of U.S. restrictions on imports of Chinese products, including drones and advanced technology exports to China.

AP News - The FCC's bans apply specifically to "new versions" of such imports.

AP News

Fox Business - The FCC's ban on foreign-produced advanced robotic devices includes mobile robots such as humanoids and quadrupeds, which could expose critical infrastructure and sensitive data to foreign adversaries.

AP News - The FCC's ban on power inverters could have sweeping ramifications for renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances.

AP News - The FCC's new rules apply specifically to new product models seeking FCC authorization and do not impact devices already owned by consumers or previously approved products.

AP News - The FCC's bans apply specifically to "new versions" of such imports, which could impact future market access for Chinese manufacturers.

AP News - The FCC's ban on foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters is likely to test relations with Beijing.

AP News - The FCC's ban on power inverters could have sweeping ramifications for renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances.

AP News - The FCC's ban includes new imports of quadruped robots, often referred to as four-legged robot dogs.

AP News - China holds an estimated market share of roughly 85% in the global market for humanoid robots.

AP News - Analysts forecast that China's market for humanoid robots could reach $15 billion by 2030.

Fox Business - The FCC Chairman stated, "Following President Trump's leadership, the FCC will continue to do our part to secure America's critical supply chains and, with today's action, the FCC is acting in lock step with our national security agencies to do just that."

BBC News - The US and China are engaged in a competition to lead the world in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Engadget - The FCC's action is part of a broader national security strategy aimed at boosting domestic production of emerging technology.

Fox Business - The FCC added foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices to its Covered List.

Fox Business - New models of these devices are ineligible for FCC equipment authorization.

Fox Business - The FCC's action follows national security determinations by a White House-convened interagency body.

Fox Business - The Covered List already includes equipment from companies like Huawei, ZTE, and Hikvision.

WHERE:

Fox Business - The regulations apply to products intended for the United States market.

WHEN:

AP News - A planned U.S. visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet with U.S. President Trump is scheduled for September.

WHY:

AP News - China’s Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of overstretching the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies, stating that protectionism does not make the U.S. more competitive and will only hurt the interests of U.S. companies and consumers.

AP News - The U.S. is also weighing controls on the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models at a time when Chinese AI is rapidly gaining ground.

AP News - 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.

AP News - The U.S. is also weighing controls on the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models at a time when Chinese AI is rapidly gaining ground.

AP News - The U.S. is weighing controls on the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models as Chinese AI rapidly gains ground.

AP News - The FCC's bans are part of a broader trend of U.S. restrictions on imports of Chinese products, including drones and advanced technology exports to China.

Fox Business - The decision is part of a national security strategy to secure the electric grid and protect critical infrastructure.

Fox Business - National security officials warned that foreign-produced devices pose unacceptable cybersecurity and supply chain risks.

HOW:

AP News - The FCC’s bans apply specifically to "new versions" of such imports.

Fox Business - Manufacturers may seek exemptions through a new "Conditional Approval" process if the Department of War—or, in the case of power inverters, the Department of Homeland Security—determines a specific device or class of devices does not pose national security risks.

AP News - The FCC's bans apply specifically to "new versions" of such imports, which could impact future market access for Chinese manufacturers.

AP News - The FCC's bans apply specifically to "new versions" of such imports.

Fox Business - The FCC's new rules apply specifically to new product models seeking FCC authorization and do not impact devices already owned by consumers or previously approved products.

Fox Business - The FCC's rules state that equipment on the Covered List cannot receive new equipment authorizations for importation, marketing, and sale in the U.S.

Fox Business - Manufacturers can seek exemptions through a "Conditional Approval" process if deemed safe by the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security.

(UPDATED July 30, 2026 00:15 UTC)

The FCC's recent ban on foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters is poised to strain relations with Beijing, especially with a visit from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet with Trump scheduled for September. China's Foreign Ministry has criticized the U.S. for what it calls an overreach of national security, arguing that such protectionist measures will ultimately harm American companies and consumers. Meanwhile, analysts predict that China's market for humanoid robots could soar to $15 billion by 2030, highlighting the growing competition in this advanced technology sector.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 22:21 UTC)

The FCC has announced a ban on foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, primarily targeting China due to national security concerns. This ban also includes new imports of quadruped robots, commonly known as four-legged robot dogs, and is part of a larger trend of U.S. restrictions on Chinese products, including drones and advanced technology exports. Additionally, the U.S. is considering controls on the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models as the competition in AI technology intensifies.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 20:20 UTC)

A visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet with President Trump is set for September. This meeting comes as the U.S. considers implementing controls on the use of Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models, amid concerns about the rapid advancement of Chinese AI technology. Additionally, the FCC has introduced bans on new versions of certain Chinese imports, following a series of restrictions on both Chinese products and the export of advanced U.S. technology to China.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 18:20 UTC)

The FCC has implemented a ban on foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, including mobile robots like humanoids and quadrupeds, due to concerns they could compromise critical infrastructure and sensitive data. Additionally, the ban on power inverters may significantly affect renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances, but it only applies to new product models seeking FCC authorization, leaving existing devices unaffected. Manufacturers can apply for exemptions through a new "Conditional Approval" process if the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security assesses that certain devices do not pose national security risks.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 14:42 UTC)

A visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to meet with President Trump is set for September, amid rising tensions over technology and trade. The FCC's recent ban on foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters is expected to strain relations with Beijing and could significantly affect renewable energy systems, data centers, and household appliances in the U.S. Additionally, the FCC's restrictions on "new versions" of these imports may limit future market access for Chinese manufacturers as the U.S. considers controls on Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 13:31 UTC)

The FCC has announced a ban on new imports of quadruped robots, commonly known as four-legged robot dogs, as part of a wider trend of U.S. restrictions on Chinese products, including drones and advanced technology exports. Meanwhile, China dominates the global market for humanoid robots, holding an estimated 85% market share, with projections suggesting that this market could reach $15 billion by 2030. In 2025, China’s Unitree and AGIBOT each shipped over 5,000 humanoid robots, while U.S. companies like Tesla and Figure AI shipped only a few hundred or less.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 07:53 UTC)

The FCC has announced new regulations targeting foreign-produced advanced robotic devices, including humanoids and quadrupeds, due to concerns they may compromise critical infrastructure and sensitive data. This decision comes after a national security assessment by a White House-convened interagency body, which determined these products pose unacceptable risks to America's supply chains. FCC Chairman emphasized that, following Trump's leadership, the agency is committed to securing these vital supply chains and is working closely with national security agencies to address these threats.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 05:51 UTC)

The US and China are currently in a competition to lead the world in robotics and artificial intelligence, highlighting the growing importance of these technologies on the global stage. In response, the FCC has implemented new rules as part of a broader national security strategy to enhance domestic production of emerging technology, specifically targeting new product models seeking FCC authorization. Importantly, these new regulations will not affect devices already owned by consumers or those that have previously received approval.

(UPDATED July 29, 2026 01:25 UTC)

The FCC has added foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices to its Covered List, which means new models of these devices are now ineligible for equipment authorization in the United States. This decision, supported by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, is part of a national security strategy aimed at securing the electric grid and protecting critical infrastructure, as national security officials have raised concerns about the cybersecurity and supply chain risks posed by foreign-produced devices. Manufacturers can still seek exemptions through a "Conditional Approval" process if their products are deemed safe by the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security.