Fresh tensions between Washington and Beijing have emerged after United States regulators announced a ban on imports of new Chinese-made humanoid robots, robot dogs and power inverters.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said the restrictions are intended to safeguard critical supply chains and address national security and cybersecurity concerns.
The latest move adds to a series of U.S. measures targeting Chinese technology, including restrictions on drones and exports of advanced American technology. It also comes ahead of a planned September meeting between President, Donald Trump and Chinese President, Xi Jinping, a development analysts say could further strain relations between the two countries.
China currently dominates the global humanoid robot market, accounting for about 85 percent of worldwide production. Industry analysts say Chinese manufacturers have rapidly expanded output and lowered production costs, giving them a significant advantage over overseas competitors.
Beijing has condemned the restrictions, accusing Washington of using national security as a pretext to suppress Chinese companies. China’s Foreign Ministry said it would take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate interests of its businesses, warning that protectionist policies would ultimately hurt American companies and consumers.
The restrictions could also affect collaboration between technology firms in both countries. Earlier this year, Nvidia unveiled a humanoid robot reference design built on the chassis of Chinese robotics company Unitree, one of several firms the Pentagon has identified as having alleged links to the Chinese military, an allegation Beijing denies.
According to research firm Omdia, Chinese companies Unitree and AGIBOT each shipped more than 5,000 humanoid robots in 2025, while US firms such as Tesla and Figure AI shipped only a few hundred units each.
