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New US tariffs of up to 100% took effect on Thursday on drones and certain drone components, as Washington pushes to lower its import reliance in an industry that China dominates.
US President Donald Trump signed an order setting out the duties in August, as the White House flagged “the national security threat posed by imports of drones and their components”.
The order also aims to boost domestic supply chains.
Drones have become a cornerstone of modern warfare and surveillance, as the war in Ukraine has starkly demonstrated, and US officials argue that dependence on Chinese-made drones and components — chiefly produced by market leader DJI — leaves the country’s military and critical infrastructure exposed to disruption, espionage and battlefield disadvantage.
Drones with a takeoff weight exceeding 25 kilograms, as well as those with thermal imaging capabilities and docking stations, face a 100% tariff.
Smaller drones face a 25% duty.
Some components of drones that are “not particularly sensitive” will also face duties, but those only come into effect on 9 February next year.
China expressed opposition to the planned tariffs shortly after they were unveiled by Trump, with Beijing urging Washington to withdraw the duties.
A commerce ministry spokesman said the tariffs would “disrupt the global drone supply chain and further undermine a fair and competitive market environment”.
He said China firmly opposed the move.
Chinese company DJI, founded in 2006, has captured more than two-thirds of the global drone market in recent years, according to several studies.
Since 2022, however, DJI has been on a US list of Chinese firms linked to the country’s military and subject to restrictions on access to US technology.
DJI has fought its inclusion on the list.
Additional sources • AFP