The United States has expanded its restrictions on imports to include humanoid robots and power equipment for data centers, following previous bans on Chinese AI semiconductors and telecommunications equipment. This move marks a shift in the ongoing US-China technology competition, now extending into the realm of 'physical AI' that operates in real-world industrial settings.
On July 28, the Trump administration announced a ban on the import of new Chinese humanoid and quadrupedal robots, as well as power inverters with communication capabilities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stated that this ban is effective immediately and applies to robot and inverter models that have not yet been released in the US market.
Power inverters are devices that connect renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, and batteries to the power grid or data center equipment. With the rapid increase in AI data center construction, these inverters are expected to see a significant rise in demand alongside robots.
The FCC expressed concerns that Chinese-made robots could collect information from industrial sites and users, potentially transferring it to China or allowing external entities to remotely control the equipment. Similarly, inverters, which connect directly to the power grid and data centers, could be exploited for malware insertion or disruption of critical infrastructure.
This ban is likely to directly impact Chinese robotics company Unitree, while companies like SunGrow Power Supply and Huawei are also mentioned as major targets in the inverter sector.
However, the FCC is expected to allow exceptions for non-Chinese suppliers, similar to previous regulations on foreign drones and routers, effectively targeting Chinese companies and supply chains.
Reuters reported that US authorities are wary of a repeat of past scenarios where China leveraged its dominance in the rare earth market to influence supply chains in international negotiations, now reflected in the robotics and inverter sectors.
The US's technology restrictions on China extend beyond product imports to research and development. On July 23, the Department of Defense updated its list of foreign research institutions engaged in problematic activities, known as the '1286 list,' adding 130 universities and research institutions from China, Russia, and Iran. The Pentagon claims that collaboration with these institutions poses a risk of leaking research and development results funded by the US government.
This year, 88 Chinese institutions were included, an increase of over ten from last year. New entries include Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shandong University, the Institute of International Relations, and the Space Information Innovation Research Institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In response, China's Ministry of Commerce criticized the US on July 29, stating that the US is generalizing the concept of national security and politicizing and weaponizing scientific research cooperation. The ministry urged the US to retract its related measures and warned that it would take necessary actions to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese research institutions.
The Chinese government has also hinted at possible countermeasures in response to the ban on robot and inverter imports. The Chinese Embassy in the US demanded that the US cease its slander and threats of sanctions against Chinese companies, stating that it would take necessary actions if substantial harm to Chinese interests occurs.
Meanwhile, Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, visited Washington, D.C., this week to meet with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and congressional officials. Discussions likely revolved around the regulatory issues concerning robotics and AI semiconductors amid an investigation by the Commerce Department into potential violations of export regulations related to NVIDIA's Blackwell chip.
Despite the tightening of US regulations, Wall Street remains optimistic about the growth potential of China's AI industry. Citigroup has upgraded its investment outlook for the Chinese stock market to 'overweight,' while Goldman Sachs has noted that China's AI sector is emerging as a significant investment opportunity.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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