The United States is weighing new restrictions on commercial drones from China, citing potential national security risks. This move has provoked strong objections from Beijing, signaling escalating tensions between the two economic giants.
On Thursday, the US Commerce Department announced it was exploring regulations to address risks posed by drones incorporating technology from countries such as China and Russia. The department suggested that foreign technology could enable remote manipulation of drones, posing unacceptable threats to US national security. Public input on the proposed rules is being accepted until March 4, leaving the decision to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning accused the US on Friday of “generalizing the concept of national security, interfering and restricting normal economic and trade exchanges, and undermining the security and stability of global production and supply chains.”
She said, “We will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard our legitimate rights and interests.”
The proposed US actions could significantly impact China’s dominance in the global drone market, with DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, already in the crosshairs. Washington has scrutinized DJI over alleged surveillance of ethnic minorities in China and classified it as a “Chinese Military Company” in 2022. DJI has denied these allegations, describing itself as a private company unaffiliated with the Chinese military.
In October 2022, DJI escalated its defense, filing a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense (DoD) to contest its military designation. “DJI is not owned or controlled by the Chinese military, and the DoD itself acknowledges that DJI makes consumer and commercial drones, not military drones,” the company stated.
The US has a history of targeting Chinese technology over security concerns. In September, Washington banned the sale of connected vehicles utilizing Chinese or Russian technology, underscoring a broader effort to protect critical infrastructure from foreign interference.
If enacted, the new drone regulations could exacerbate trade tensions between the US and China, impacting industries reliant on affordable and advanced drone technology. As the global market braces for potential changes, both sides appear unwilling to back down, setting the stage for another chapter in their ongoing economic rivalry.
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