A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers recently sent a letter to the Biden administration, urging for higher tariffs on Chinese drones. This call for action is aimed at addressing the mass proliferation of Chinese-made drones in the U.S. market, which the lawmakers believe poses a clear national and economic security threat. The lawmakers specifically targeted major drone manufacturers such as DJI and Autel, advocating for immediate measures to be taken to safeguard the interests of U.S. drone manufacturers.
The current 25% additional tariff on Chinese drones was deemed insufficient by the lawmakers to combat the surge in imports. The lawmakers highlighted the dominance of Chinese drone companies in both the hobby and commercial drone markets in the U.S., with over 77% and 90% market share respectively. This monopolistic control by Chinese manufacturers raises concerns about data privacy, national security, and the potential circumvention of U.S. laws through transshipment.
The lawmakers expressed national security concerns regarding Chinese drones, pointing out the risk of U.S. persons’ data falling into the hands of the People’s Republic of China’s military and intelligence services. This alarming prospect has prompted calls for stricter regulations and oversight on Chinese drone manufacturers operating in the U.S. market.
In response to these concerns, Representative Mike Gallagher and other lawmakers have introduced legislation seeking to ban the U.S. government from purchasing Chinese drones. The move aligns with previous actions taken by Congress, such as the 2019 ban on the Pentagon from acquiring drones or components manufactured in China. The ongoing efforts to safeguard national security and protect U.S. interests underscore the importance of regulating the drone industry effectively.
The bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers’ call for higher tariffs on Chinese drones reflects a growing recognition of the potential risks associated with the increasing presence of Chinese manufacturers in the U.S. drone market. By advocating for stricter regulations and incentives to promote domestic drone manufacturing, the lawmakers aim to address critical national security and economic concerns. It remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond to these calls for action, but the momentum towards ensuring greater transparency and oversight in the drone industry is undeniable.