The United States has banned imports of new Chinese-made humanoid robots, robot dogs, and power inverters, escalating a technology standoff between Washington and Beijing over artificial intelligence and strategic supply chains.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the restrictions on Tuesday, adding the devices to its growing list of equipment prohibited on national-security grounds. The rules took effect immediately but apply only to models not yet authorized for sale in the United States; products already approved are unaffected for now. For more context on this story, see our ongoing breaking AI news.

The FCC argued the devices could create "supply chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt US economic and national security," particularly if foreign actors were able to compromise or control them. Humanoid robots and four-legged robot dogs are increasingly deployed in factories, warehouses, and research facilities, while power inverters link solar panels, batteries, and data-centre equipment to the electricity grid.

The ban is expected to hit Unitree, a Chinese robotics company that has partnered with Nvidia on robots powered by the US chipmaker's technology. The Pentagon recently added Unitree to a list of firms it alleges have ties to China's military, allegations Beijing denies. The inverter restrictions also affect suppliers such as Huawei and Sungrow.

China's embassy in Washington criticized the move, urging the United States to "stop smearing Chinese companies" and warning that Beijing would "take all necessary measures" to protect its interests.

The decision comes as the Trump administration pushes domestic advanced manufacturing, with Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Boston Dynamics among firms building humanoid robots in the US. The FCC action adds to existing tensions over advanced chips, AI, and control of strategic technology supply chains.

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