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<\/p>\n\n China, which supplies the vast majority of the world\u2019s humanoid robots, has suddenly been cut off from its largest export market as the US government moves to curb its reliance on foreign technology.\n <\/p>\n
\n On Tuesday, the Trump Administration banned new humanoid and quadruped robot imports from foreign manufacturers, saying they pose \u201cunacceptable risks\u201d to US national security. The ban also includes power converters used to connect renewable energy infrastructure and batteries to the power grid.\n <\/p>\n
\n The new restrictions, which exclude models already in use, are the latest attempt by Washington to bolster and safeguard its domestic industries and supply chain, amid an intensifying rivalry with China to dominate advanced technology and artificial intelligence.\n <\/p>\n
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Behind China\u2019s robot sports push\n <\/p>\n
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Behind China\u2019s robot sports push<\/p>\n
2:17<\/p>\n
\n While China has trailed the US in the development of cutting-edge AI models, the rollout of ever more powerful Chinese models<\/a> in recent months has rattled Washington and Silicon Valley.\n <\/p>\n \n China, analysts said, has also established a lead in AI consumer applications and AI-enabled hardware, such as robots, thanks to its manufacturing scale and ability to commercialize products quickly.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cThese devices could create supply chain vulnerabilities that could disrupt US economic and national security and could create a cybersecurity risk that threatened American critical infrastructure,\u201d the Federal Communications Commission said in a statement<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n The FCC decision was based on a national security determination<\/a> made on Monday by a White House-convened interagency body, which warned that internet-connected robots could pose data privacy risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. US officials have previously raised similar concerns to block the sale of Chinese-made electric vehicles in the US.\n <\/p>\n \n The robots \u201ccollect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots,\u201d the document<\/a> for the determination said.\n <\/p>\n \n In response, China\u2019s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing has consistently opposed what she called the US practice of abusing the concept of national security to suppress Chinese companies, vowing to \u201ctake necessary measures\u201d to defend their interests.\n <\/p>\n \n \u201cProtectionism will not enhance US competitiveness; it will only harm the interests of American businesses and consumers,\u201d she said at a Wednesday press conference.\n <\/p>\n \n On Thursday, China\u2019s Ministry of Commerce accused the US of \u201cunilateral bullying\u201d and \u201cmarket distortion,\u201d and called on Washington to immediately revoke the ban or face countermeasures.\n <\/p>\n \n CNN has reached out top Chinese humanoid robot makers, including Unitree, Agibot, UBTech and Galbot, for comment.\n <\/p>\n \n This is not the first time that the FCC has banned foreign technologies, with a particular focus on Chinese businesses. Last December, it introduced similar restrictions against foreign-made drones<\/a>, effectively cutting off another Chinese tech giant DJI from the US market.\n <\/p>\n \n In just a few years, China\u2019s humanoid robot industry has blossomed into one of the country\u2019s most promising strategic sectors<\/a>, with more than 140 manufacturers and a rapidly expanding supply chain.\n <\/p>\n