The Federal Communications Commission added foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices to its Covered List on July 28, 2026. The ban blocks new model authorizations over national security risks, though it exempts existing equipment and allows temporary conditional waivers for companies that commit to domestic manufacturing.
National Security Determinations Target Power Inverters and Robots
The United States government is significantly expanding its restrictions on imported hardware. Following executive branch national security determinations, the Federal Communications Commission formally added foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices to its foxbusiness.com. The policy shift was announced on July 28, 2026, following earlier reporting by Reuters. The agency acted in response to determinations that these technologies present unacceptable cybersecurity and supply chain risks to critical infrastructure across the United States.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr welcomed the move, pointing to the need to secure critical supply chains. Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will continue to do our part to secure America’s critical supply chains and, with today’s action, the FCC is acting in lock step with our national security agencies to do just that,
Carr said in a statement reported by foxbusiness.com.
Federal officials focused heavily on vulnerabilities within the electric grid. Power inverters, which convert direct current electricity into alternating current for solar arrays, battery storage, and distributed energy resources, feature remote connectivity. Officials warn that remote access could allow foreign actors to manipulate or shut down power equipment.
Defining Advanced Robotic Devices Under New FCC Rules
The restrictions on robotics apply broadly. The FCC defines an advanced robotic device in an agency FAQ as an autonomous mobile machine capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, or movement on the ground. These devices must feature onboard sensors to perceive their surroundings, network connectivity chips, and a weight exceeding 4.4 pounds including any docking station. Under these criteria, the rule sweeps in humanoid models, quadruped robot dogs, and even future robot vacuums that lack an approved waiver.
Chinese robotics manufacturers face immediate hurdles. Companies like Unitree, which sells humanoid machines in the United States through resellers, are directly affected by administrative reviews citing potential security backdoors. The White House determination warns that the onboard sensors and network capabilities of these machines could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance foreign intelligence services, or remotely commandeer hardware.
“Advanced robotic devices collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots.”
Trump administration national security determination, via PCMag
International reaction to the policy split along diplomatic lines. A Chinese government spokesperson criticized the restriction as a protectionist measure. This decision not only harms trade relations between our countries, but also jeopardises global technology cooperation,
the spokesperson said. Conversely, officials from allied European nations expressed support, with one official emphasizing that National security must always be a priority
in solidarity with American infrastructure defense.
Waivers, Exemptions, and Domestic Manufacturing Requirements
The regulatory action does not affect hardware already deployed inside the United States. Consumers, businesses, and the federal government can continue using previously acquired devices. The FCC noted that the policy does not impact purchase or use by the federal government at all, and retailers may continue selling models previously cleared through the equipment authorization process.
For new models, manufacturers can seek conditional approval through the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security. However, securing an exemption requires applicants to provide detailed plans to shift manufacturing into the United States, including projected capital expenditures. Additionally, domestic products must comply with federal sourcing rules: a domestic end product must contain US-made components valued at more than 65% of the total device, a threshold that increases to 70% in 2029.
While existing equipment can continue receiving security updates, the regulatory framework ensures that the American market for advanced robotics and power inverters will face an enforced decoupling from foreign supply chains unless manufacturers relocate their production lines domestically.
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