The Trump administration has banned imports of new Chinese humanoid robots and connected power inverters. The Federal Communications Commission issued the restrictions this week to protect critical infrastructure and local artificial intelligence supply chains from potential data theft and cyberattacks. However, the ruling applies only to models that have not yet launched in the United States.
According to a report by Reuters, the move aims to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting connected hardware to disrupt the national power grid or surveil sensitive industries. Power inverters are required to connect renewable energy sources and battery arrays to data centers, making them a prime target for potential malware installations. The restrictions went into effect immediately upon publication, though the government expects to exempt several non Chinese suppliers from the rules.
These devices could create supply chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt economic and national security.
The robot ban is poised to hit Chinese robotics company Unitree, which controls nearly 20% of the global market. Unitree recently partnered with Nvidia to power its humanoid machines using advanced Blackwell processors. While Nvidia clarified that the robot data remains stored in America, national security hawks fear the mobile machines could still transmit intelligence to Beijing. Representative John Moolenaar supported the action, stating that the decision secures the domestic robotics sector from foreign surveillance.
China is currently the dominant producer of power inverters, led by giant manufacturers like Sungrow Power Supply and Huawei. Officials hope this trade action prevents massive hacking campaigns similar to the Volt Typhoon breach, where state linked actors took over private routers to hide attacks on American infrastructure. The Pentagon already restricts the purchase of Chinese solar cells and modules, and this latest step closes the remaining loopholes for commercial data hubs.
