US Considers Potential Rules to Restrict Chinese Drones

The U.S. Commerce Department said on Thursday that it is considering new rules that would impose restrictions on Chinese drones that would restrict or ban them in the United States, citing national security concerns.

The department said it was seeking public comments by March 4 on potential rules to safeguard the supply chain for drones, saying threats from China and Russia “may offer our adversaries the ability to remotely access and manipulate these devices, exposing sensitive U.S. data.”

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China accounts for the vast majority of U.S. commercial drone sales.

In September, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the department could impose restrictions similar to those that would effectively ban Chinese vehicles from the United States and the focus will be on drones with Chinese and Russian equipment, chips and software.

She said in November that she hopes to finalize the rules on Chinese vehicles by Jan. 20. Reports said.

Restrict Or Ban
A decision to write new rules restricting or banning Chinese drones will be made by the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who takes over on Jan. 20.

Washington has taken a series of steps to crack down on Chinese drones over the last year.

Last month, President Joe Biden signed legislation that could ban China-based DJI and Autel Robotics (688208.SS), opening a new tab from selling new drone models in the U.S. An unspecified U.S. agency must determine within one year if drones from DJI or Autel Robotics pose unacceptable national security risks.

DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer that sells more than half of all U.S. commercial drones, said if no agency completes the study, it would prevent the company from launching new products in the U.S.

DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer that sells more than half of all U.S. commercial drones, said if no agency completes the study, it would prevent the company from launching new products in the U.S.
In September, the House of Representatives voted to bar new drones from DJI from operating in the U.S.

In October, DJI sued the Defence Department for adding it to a list of companies allegedly working with Beijing’s military, saying the designation is wrong and has caused the company financial harm.

DJI said in October that Customs and Border Protection was stopping imports of some DJI drones from entering the United States, citing the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act No forced labour is involved at any stage of its manufacturing, DJI said. Reports said.

U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly raised concerns that DJI drones pose data transmission, surveillance, and national security risks, which the company rejects.

Congress in 2019 banned the Pentagon from buying or using drones and components manufactured in China.

Reuters /Shakirat Sadiq