President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on drones and drone components from China.
The White House said that drones considered especially sensitive for national security (including systems weighing more than 25kg or equipped with thermal-imaging capabilities) would face a 100% tariff. Drones with a maximum take-off weight of up to 25kg would face a 25% tariff.
Drones from US allies Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and the EU will face a lower tariff of 15 per cent, with a 10 per cent levy applied to technology from the UK.
The measure follows a December 2025 Federal Communications Commission decision to restrict new imports of Chinese drones by withholding wireless-communications approvals for products from adversary nations.
The tariffs also cover components, making it more difficult for US companies to import Chinese parts, such as motors, rotors, and frames, for domestic assembly.