Trump Administration Bans Foreign-Made Drones Due to National Security Concerns
The Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission has announced a ban on all new foreign-made drone models in the U.S. This decision is based on national security concerns. However, Americans who already own older foreign drone models will still be allowed to use them, according to the government.
The FCC released a fact sheet on Monday, stating that drones could be used by “criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists” to pose threats to homeland security. As a result, the agency has updated its Covered List to include all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and critical components produced abroad.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr expressed his support for the new policy, emphasizing the importance of national security. He stated, “I welcome this Executive Branch national security determination and I am pleased that the FCC has added foreign drones and related components to the Covered List. Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will collaborate with U.S. drone manufacturers to promote American drone dominance.”
The ban is expected to impact various companies, particularly Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, which currently leads global drone sales. DJI is a popular choice among American consumers.
In response to the decision, DJI expressed disappointment with the FCC’s action. The company remains committed to the U.S. market and advocates for an open and competitive market that benefits consumers and commercial users. DJI emphasized the safety and security of its products, backed by reviews from U.S. government agencies and independent third parties.
President Trump’s administration has consistently taken a tough stance on Chinese companies. The groundwork for the drone ban was laid with an executive order in June aimed at promoting the production of U.S.-made drones and securing the domestic drone sector against foreign control.
