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US has banned all new imports and sales drone made by china DJI Due to national security concerns.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added DJI, Autel, and other foreign-made drones and components to its “covered list”, preventing any new products from being released.
DJI is the world’s largest drone maker, with 80 percent market share in the US for its consumer drones.
The ban marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to curb Chinese drones, after the Commerce Department announced plans to restrict such imports in September.
The FCC designation does not prohibit the import, sale, or use of any existing device models already authorized by the telecommunications regulator, and does not affect any drones already purchased. It says consumers can continue to use any drones they have already purchased legally.
DJI said it is disappointed by the FCC’s decision to add foreign-made drones to the covered list.
“Although DJI was not singled out, no information has been released about what information the executive branch used in reaching its determination,” the company said after the decision.
Earlier this month, DJI said drone programs operated by law enforcement and emergency response agencies in the US “will be at immediate risk if they do not have access to the most cost-effective and efficient drone technology available.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday that China opposed the US setting up the “discriminatory” list, calling it an “extremely broad interpretation of the concept of national security”.
He urged Washington to “correct its wrong practices” and provide a fair environment for Chinese companies.
The FCC said it received the results of a White House-convened, executive-branch interagency review of the risks of foreign drones on Sunday, which found that imported drones and components pose a security risk “given unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, supply chain vulnerabilities and other potential threats to the homeland.”
The review said the Pentagon could decide in the future that specific drones or classes of drones do not pose a risk and remove them from restrictions.
In June, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing America’s reliance on Chinese drone companies.
Sebastian Gorka, senior director of counterterrorism at the National Security Council, said the FCC’s decision was an “America First action” from the president.
“Drones are a big part of America’s future security,” he wrote. a post For X. “They should be made in the United States.”
Additional reporting from agencies.