For a country that exports all kinds of stuff to all parts of the world – phones, software, entertainment, culture, among countless others – it is really interesting to see the United States claiming protectionism when it comes to drone technology.

But that is the reality of the times we are living in right now.

Yesterday, US president Donald Trump announced tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and their components, ostensibly to reduce US reliance on imports in an industry dominated by China.

The tariffs also affect other key US allies (including the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan) beyond just China, with Trump justifying the decision on national security grounds, according to a White House statement that detailed a 100 percent duty rate on the import of certain UAS.

The proclamation signed by Trump imposes a 100 percent ad valorem (according to value) ​tariff on drones of a certain size or with certain capabilities ⁠that are particularly sensitive for national security purposes, the White House said, adding ​that a tariff of 25 percent will be imposed on drones that are smaller in ​size.

Drones with a take-off weight of more than 25 kilograms and with so-called national security capabilities such as thermal cameras and docking stations will be tariffed at 100 percent.

Which is really interesting, because it seems to give credence to the push back by Chinese drone maker DJI – the world’s leading maker of commercial drones, which will be most affected by this development – which got triggered when the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently widened its net for drones and related accessories on its 2025 Covered List.

The statement said the tariffs will "encourage increased domestic production" of drones and their components and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. Most of the new tariffs are to take effect September 3.

In December 2025, the FCC – which is charged with regulating telecommunications nationally – argued that domestic production of drones would "reduce the risk of direct UAS attacks and disruptions, unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other UAS threats to the homeland."

It added that drones "are inherently dual-use: they are both commercial platforms and potentially military or paramilitary sensors and weapons," and foreign production of drones and their components, "could enable persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over US territory."

The war in Ukraine has underscored how commercial and hobbyist drones can be outfitted for frontline attacks.

This retrofitting of commercial drones for war purposes has adversely affected DJI, which has a market share of more than two-thirds of the global drone market in recent years. The company has also been in Washington's crosshairs for several years, with US officials accusing it of supplying products used to spy on ethnic minorities in China, particularly the Uyghurs.

Since 2022, DJI has been on a US list of Chinese companies linked to the country's military and therefore subject to restrictions on access to US technology.

DJI has been fighting this inclusion ever since, insisting that it was not owned or controlled by the government or the military.

Last week, China announced restrictions on drone exports to the United States and blacklisted six companies in response to trade sanctions imposed by Washington over forced labour and national security concerns. That move came days after the

In late July 2026, the US government also added humanoid and quadruped robots to a blacklist of products and companies barred from import into the United States, saying they posed critical national security risks. That sector, too, is dominated by Chinese industry.

Trump said in the proclamation ‌text ⁠released by the White House that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had probed the effects of imports of unmanned aircraft systems or drones.

"The Secretary found that import penetration from foreign producers of UAS is substantial and that the United States is too reliant ​on foreign sources ​of UAS and ⁠UAS components," Trump said.

Lutnick added that drone and drone components from certain foreign entities "pose security and safety risks" and that the ​domestic U.S. industry does not produce enough to meet security needs, ​Trump said.

The ⁠tariffs will take effect in 21 days, the White House said.

For components of drones that are not particularly sensitive, the tariffs will take effect 180 days after signing, ⁠it said.

For ​products the Pentagon has approved for an exemption ​from the Federal Communications Commission's "Covered List" within 20 days of signing, the tariffs will take effect 180 days ​after signing, the White House said.