Why Trump Bans New Chinese Robots

The administration of President Donald Trump has banned the import of new foreign-made advanced humanoid robots into the United States.

Washington claims that the decision was made due to national security and cybersecurity risks. The move comes in the context of intensifying competition between the United States and China in the artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics sectors.

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the ban. The new restrictions include advanced humanoid robots, four-legged robots and various types of automated devices, most of which are made in China.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the decision was made to protect the United States' critical supply chain and reduce security risks reliant on foreign technology.

US authorities claim that advanced robots made abroad can conduct surveillance on US citizens for "malicious purposes", enhance foreign intelligence capabilities or conduct harmful activities by remotely controlling robots.

Similarly, the FCC has warned that there is a risk of disrupting electricity and IT infrastructure, stealing data, gaining remote access or carrying out cyber attacks through foreign power inverters.

However, the new ban will only apply to foreign devices manufactured in the future. Robots or other devices that have already been approved by the FCC will be outside the scope of this decision.

On the other hand, the Chinese embassy in Washington has strongly criticized the US decision. Beijing alleges that the US is creating unreasonable barriers to trade and technology sectors under the pretext of national security and politicizing economic and technological issues.

China has said that necessary measures will be taken to protect its legitimate interests. It also called for strengthening international cooperation in the peaceful and human-beneficial use of artificial intelligence.

China is currently the world's largest producer of humanoid robots. Several companies, including Unitry, Ubitech, and Agibot, are developing advanced robots for use in factories, hospitals, households, and public services. These companies are competing with top technology companies, including Tesla and Boston Dynamics in the United States, in the global robotics competition.

Source: Sama TV