Trump Administration Targets Chinese Drone Imports in September Crackdown

The Trump administration announced plans Friday to issue rules this month targeting Chinese drone imports and heavy-duty vehicles, marking the latest escalation in national security restrictions against Chinese technology.

New Rules Target Drones and Heavy Vehicles

The U.S. Commerce Department said it will issue regulations as early as September 2025 addressing national security risks involving information and communications technology integral to drones and vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds from China and other foreign adversaries. The announcement provides no specific details on what the import restrictions will entail, reports Reuters.

Chinese imports dominate the U.S. commercial drone market, with more than half coming from DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer. Market research indicates DJI controls approximately 80% of the U.S. market and 54% globally, making any restrictions particularly impactful for American drone operators.

Building on Existing Vehicle Crackdown

The planned drone and heavy-duty vehicle restrictions follow similar rules already targeting cars and lighter trucks. The Biden administration finalized regulations in January 2025 that will effectively bar nearly all Chinese cars and trucks from the U.S. market starting in late 2026 as part of a broader crackdown on vehicle software and hardware from China.

The Commerce Department previously indicated in January it could also target drone systems including onboard computers, communications and flight control systems, ground control stations, operating software and data storage.

Ongoing Section 232 Investigations

This regulatory action builds on national security investigations the Commerce Department opened in July into drone imports and related components, as well as medium and heavy-duty vehicles and parts in April, which could lead to higher tariffs. These Section 232 investigations under the Trade Expansion Act examine whether imports threaten U.S. national security and can result in tariffs, quotas or other trade restrictions.

“The dependence on adversary-manufactured systems that are dumped in the U.S. below market value due to foreign government subsidies has also stifled the growth of a secure American drone industrial base, undercutting innovation, and forcing U.S. manufacturers to compete on an uneven playing field,” said AUVSI CEO Michael Robbins, according to Reuters.

Executive Orders Boost Domestic Industry

President Trump signed executive orders in June 2025 to bolster defenses against threatening drones and boost U.S. drone manufacturing. The “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” executive order directs federal agencies to facilitate exports of U.S.-made drones while discouraging procurement from foreign adversaries.

In December 2024, Biden signed legislation that could eventually ban DJI and Autel from selling new drone models in the United States. The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act requires a security review of DJI by December 23, 2025, with failure to complete the assessment resulting in automatic placement on the FCC’s Covered List.

Market Impact and Industry Response

The regulatory uncertainty has already created market disruptions, with DJI drones experiencing widespread stock shortages across the U.S. and prices for Chinese drone components tripling in some cases due to existing trade restrictions. Current tariffs on Chinese drones total 170%, combining the 25% Section 301 tariff with a 125% reciprocal tariff imposed in April 2025.

The U.S. drone market generated $25.07 billion in revenue in 2024 and is expected to reach $52.5 billion by 2030, making supply chain stability critical for continued growth. With China manufacturing 70% to 80% of the world’s commercial drones, any significant import restrictions could fundamentally reshape the industry landscape.