US expands AI trade war to humanoid robots, blocks foreign advanced robots

Published Jul 31, 05:12 PM UTC

On July 28, 2026, the Trump administration expanded the AI trade war by blocking foreign-made advanced robots and connected power inverters from entering the U.S. market. The Federal Communications Commission placed these technologies on its Covered List, citing national security risks including surveillance, data theft, and cyberattacks. The rules primarily target Chinese manufacturers of humanoid and four-legged robots. This move reflects a broader policy shift from focusing on digital AI infrastructure (chips, data centers) to physical AI systems that can operate in real-world spaces. Congress has also moved in this direction with the bipartisan GUARD Act, which would require federal scrutiny of robots from foreign adversaries. The restrictions highlight Washington's evolving definition of AI infrastructure to include power generation, industrial controls, and machines capable of acting on AI instructions.