The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned humanoid robots from China, alleging an unacceptable national security risk. The decision, announced on Tuesday, 29 July 2026, escalates the US competition with China over emerging technologies.
The FCC alleged that Chinese humanoid robots could steal data, surveil US citizens, and threaten US manufacturing and supply chains. These robots, from companies such as Unitree, have recently been featured in viral videos showcasing their programmed abilities to dance or interact with people.
This action follows a month of advancements in China's artificial intelligence, chip manufacturing, and robotics technologies, which have reportedly rattled financial markets and caused divisions among US tech leaders and the Trump administration. US tech companies like Microsoft, Nvidia, Palantir, and Meta recently urged lawmakers not to restrict open AI models, while OpenAI and Anthropic have raised security concerns about Chinese-made open-source models.
President Donald Trump has stated a need for caution, balancing the desire not to restrict US tech development with concerns about falling behind China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested potential sanctions on Chinese AI firms over alleged intellectual property theft, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has received letters from tech-startup founders requesting continued access to open models.