While American firms continue to lead in frontier AI model development, China has built a commanding lead in advanced robotics deployment. Chinese factories rely heavily on robotic systems, and humanoid robots have become a common sight in major cities such as Shenzhen, creating a competitive landscape where each side holds a distinct advantage.

The broader relationship between the two superpowers has deteriorated sharply amid disputes over AI, Taiwan, tariffs and trade. American imports from China fell by roughly 30% in 2026, according to BBC News, underscoring how quickly commercial ties between the two nations are unraveling.

The robot ban lands alongside separate US plans to investigate and potentially sanction Chinese AI firms. US companies including Anthropic have accused Chinese rivals such as Moonshot of distilling their models, pointing to a coordinated effort to curb Chinese access to advanced American technology.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated its covered list under Section 2 of the Secure Networks Act, which catalogues equipment and services considered to pose an unacceptable risk to US national security or citizen safety. The list already included telecoms hardware from Huawei and cybersecurity software from Russia's Kaspersky Lab, among other predominantly China-based products.

The latest update adds "advanced robotic devices" to the list, defined as mobile robots including humanoid and quadruped designs. Robots already operating in the US will not be affected by the new restrictions, and the ban additionally covers foreign-made connected power inverters used in data centres and solar installations.

A National Security Determination issued by the FCC on 27 July 2026 concludes that foreign-produced advanced robotics pose an unacceptable cybersecurity and safety risk. The determination warns that these devices gather data that could be used by malicious actors to surveil American citizens, potentially strengthening foreign intelligence capabilities or even allowing adversaries to seize remote control of the machines.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has separately published a report alleging that state-sponsored cyber threat actors linked to China are targeting networks worldwide, spanning telecoms, government, transportation, lodging and military infrastructure sectors.

In response, the Chinese embassy in Washington called on the US to drop what it described as a "hegemonic mindset" and stop what it characterised as unfounded attacks on Chinese companies, according to BBC News.

Key Takeaways

• →The FCC added Chinese-made "advanced robotic devices" — including humanoid and quadruped robots — to its covered list of national security risks on 27 July 2026.
• →Officials warn foreign-made robots could collect surveillance data or be remotely commandeered by hostile actors; robots already in use in the US are exempt.
• →The ban also covers foreign-made connected power inverters used in data centres and solar installations.
• →China dominates global robot deployment with a 54% market share, while US industrial robot installations fell 9% in 2024.
• →The move follows separate US accusations that Chinese firms like Moonshot have distilled American AI models, alongside potential sanctions against Chinese AI companies.
• →China rejected the move, urging the US to abandon what it called a "hegemonic mindset" toward Chinese technology companies.