Washington, August 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports of unmanned drones and related components, saying the move is aimed at strengthening domestic production and reducing the country’s dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly China.
According to a White House statement, the tariffs have been imposed on national security grounds. The measures include a 100 per cent duty on certain unmanned aircraft systems, particularly larger drones weighing more than 25 kg and those equipped with technologies considered sensitive to national security.
Such technologies include thermal imagers and docking stations used in advanced drone operations. Smaller drones will face a tariff of 25 per cent under the new policy.
The White House said the measures were designed to encourage manufacturers to increase production of drones and their components within the US, while reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and strengthening the domestic drone industry.
China currently has a major presence in the global drone market. Chinese manufacturer DJI, founded in 2006, has accounted for more than two-thirds of the global drone market in recent years, according to several studies.
The latest US tariff decision comes amid escalating trade and technology tensions between Washington and Beijing, particularly in sectors linked to national security.
Most of the newly announced tariff rates are expected to take effect from September 3.
The move follows China’s recent restrictions targeting the drone industry. Beijing last week announced curbs on drone exports to the US and blacklisted six companies, saying the measures were in response to US trade sanctions linked to concerns over forced labour and national security.
China’s action came days after the US imposed fresh tariffs on China and 59 other countries.
The latest measures bring drones and related components into an expanding list of products affected by trade restrictions between the world’s two largest economies. Washington maintains that the tariffs will bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported drone technology, while the broader US-China dispute continues to intensify across trade, technology and national security.
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