Washington, en.SERU.co.id – The United States has blocked imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and four-legged “robot dogs,” in a move widely seen as targeting China’s dominance in the sector.
On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission announced the ban, saying the machines pose “unacceptable risks” to national security. The restriction also covers new models of power inverters used in data centers and renewable energy systems.
According to the FCC, these robots “collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots.” The agency added that foreign production creates supply-chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt critical infrastructure.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr framed the move as necessary to “secure America’s critical supply chains.” The ban applies only to new models that have not yet received authorization. Existing ones already approved for sale can still enter the country.
China’s Clear Lead
The timing is no coincidence. Chinese companies now dominate the early humanoid robot market. Research firms estimate they accounted for roughly 85 to 90 percent of global shipments in 2025.
Of the approximately 15,000 humanoid robots shipped worldwide in 2025, China’s Unitree and Agibot each delivered more than 5,000 units. American competitors, including Tesla and Figure AI, managed only a few hundred each, according to Omdia. The United States was also the largest overseas market for Chinese-made humanoids.
“Chinese manufacturers have been scaling production and reducing costs faster than most overseas competitors,” said Morningstar analyst Kangyuxiao Li.
Restricting access to the U.S. market, he noted, removes an important future outlet and shields American developers from aggressive price competition. Still, he does not expect the ban to seriously slow China’s overall progress, given the size of its domestic industry and other export opportunities.
A recent LexisNexis report found that six of the world’s top 10 humanoid startups, ranked by patent strength, are Chinese. The country now has more than 140 manufacturers and a deep, EV-derived supply chain that allows rapid iteration and lower prices.
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Beijing’s Response
China reacted sharply. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the United States of “abusing the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies.” She said protectionism “will not enhance U.S. competitiveness; it will only harm the interests of American businesses and consumers,” and vowed that Beijing would take “necessary measures” to defend its firms.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce later called the ban “unilateral bullying” and “market distortion,” demanding that Washington reverse the decision or face countermeasures.
What Comes Next
Analysts say the immediate commercial impact on Chinese companies may be limited. Many were already realistic about the political risks of the U.S. market and have been expanding into Europe. Lian Jye Su of Omdia described the overall effect as “minimal.”
Analysts say American firms could benefit from the restrictions. Soumen Mandal of Counterpoint Research noted that Tesla, Figure, and Boston Dynamics “greatly benefit from this news.”
Unitree, one of the market leaders with nearly a fifth of global share according to Counterpoint, appears particularly exposed. The company was recently added to a Pentagon list of firms allegedly linked to the Chinese military and has been barred from Defense Department contracts. It also recently partnered with Nvidia on AI chips for its robots.
The ban fits a broader pattern of U.S. restrictions on Chinese technology, following earlier limits on drones and other hardware. It comes ahead of a planned meeting between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in September, adding another point of friction to an already tense relationship.
For now, the decision signals Washington’s determination to strengthen domestic robotics development while tightening restrictions on Chinese technology.
