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US Considers Potential Rules to Restrict or Bar Chinese Drones

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The U.S. Commerce Department is exploring new rules that could restrict or ban Chinese-made drones in the United States, citing national security concerns. The department announced on Thursday that it is considering measures to safeguard the U.S. drone supply chain, emphasizing that threats from China and Russia could allow adversaries to remotely access and manipulate these devices, thereby compromising sensitive U.S. data.

China dominates the U.S. commercial drone market, accounting for the majority of sales. In response to these national security concerns, the Commerce Department is seeking public comments on potential rules, with a deadline set for March 4. The proposed regulations could mirror those applied to Chinese vehicles, which may face similar restrictions or bans due to concerns over foreign-made equipment, chips, and software embedded in drones.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo previously indicated that the department could impose restrictions akin to those that would effectively bar Chinese vehicles from U.S. markets. The focus would primarily be on drones containing Chinese or Russian-made components. Raimondo hopes to finalize the regulations on Chinese vehicles by January 20, coinciding with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

This move follows a series of actions taken by the U.S. government over the past year to address concerns about Chinese drones. Last month, President Joe Biden signed a law that could result in a ban on new models from China-based DJI and Autel Robotics, two of the largest drone manufacturers. Under this law, a U.S. agency must assess whether drones from these companies pose national security risks within a year. If no decision is made, DJI and Autel could be prevented from launching new products in the U.S.

DJI, the world’s largest drone maker, which accounts for more than half of all commercial drones sold in the U.S., has responded by warning that an inability to launch new products would hurt its business. The company has also taken legal action, suing the U.S. Department of Defense for designating it as a company with ties to China’s military. DJI denies these claims and has asserted that its products do not involve forced labor, despite Customs and Border Protection halting some of its drone imports under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential risks posed by Chinese-made drones, citing data transmission vulnerabilities and surveillance issues. In 2019, Congress passed a law banning the Pentagon from using drones or components manufactured in China.

 

Congress Considers Drone Ban for Chinese Manufacturers DJI and Autel

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Under a proposed annual military bill, China-based drone manufacturers DJI and Autel Robotics could face a ban on selling new drones in the U.S. market. The 1,800-page bill, set to be voted on by the U.S. House of Representatives later this week, mandates that a national security agency assess within one year whether drones from these companies pose an unacceptable risk to national security.

Potential Impact on DJI and Autel

If no agency conducts the required study, DJI would automatically be added to the Federal Communications Commission’s “Covered List.” This would prevent DJI from launching new products in the U.S. market, even if the company has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. DJI expressed concerns that its products were being unfairly targeted, stating that it has voluntarily submitted its drones to regular independent security audits and enhanced privacy features.

Autel Robotics, which also faces scrutiny, has not commented on the situation. Last year, a group of bipartisan lawmakers urged the Biden administration to investigate Autel for potential national security risks.

Past Congressional Actions and Legal Challenges

In September, the U.S. House voted to block new DJI drones from operating in the U.S., and the U.S. Commerce Department is reviewing whether to impose similar restrictions on Chinese drones. DJI has also faced legal battles, including a lawsuit against the Department of Defense after being added to a list of companies allegedly linked to Beijing’s military.

In addition, Customs and Border Protection has been halting some DJI drone imports, citing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a measure DJI denies applying to its operations.

Ongoing Concerns Over Security Risks

U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly voiced concerns that DJI drones could be used for data transmission and surveillance, presenting a national security threat. DJI has denied these accusations, asserting that its drones do not compromise the security of U.S. users.