The US is building barriers around drones and robots, but China has scale to get around them | TechCrunch

In August 2026, the United States tightened restrictions on China’s advanced robotics systems and imposed high taxes on unmanned vehicles. These measures will take effect in September. Although the US attempts to create barriers through mechanisms such as the FCC’s “controlled list” to protect its domestic market, China, leveraging its scale and cost competitiveness in the fields of drones and humanoid robots, is shifting the focus of competition to other regions around the world. According to Counterpoint’s report, global shipments of humanoid robots reached 22,000 units in the first half of 2026, with Chinese manufacturers accounting for the majority. The five major manufacturers are all Chinese companies, accounting for 86% of global shipments. Analysts point out that although the US leads in cutting-edge AI, software, and semiconductor innovation, the robotics industry does not rely on a single controllable technology. China continues to reduce costs by internalizing its technology stack and leveraging existing manufacturing bases, while the US and its allies focus more on specific markets with high security requirements, resulting in a fragmented global market.