This week, a coordinated international pushback against Chinese technology, particularly in robotics and AI infrastructure, gained significant momentum. In the United States, bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation to ban federal agencies from purchasing or using humanoid robots produced by Chinese firms. The American Security Robotics Act, sponsored by Republican Senator Tom Cotton and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, would prohibit federal acquisition of unmanned ground vehicles from countries deemed adversaries, including China, and cut off associated federal funding.
Simultaneously, a separate legislative effort led by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez aims to halt the construction of new AI data centers nationwide, citing an "unprecedented energy crisis" and environmental concerns. This proposal would also ban exports of computing hardware, like AI chips, to countries lacking similar worker and environmental protections, a move directly aimed at limiting China's access to vital AI development infrastructure.
These U.S. actions unfold as South Korea's Trade Commission (KTC) announced it will impose antidumping duties of 15.96-19.85% on Chinese robots and 17.45-18.64% on Japanese robots. The decision follows complaints from domestic firms, including HD Hyundai Robotics, which accused Chinese suppliers of selling industrial robots at prices nearly 60% cheaper than local products, causing market damage since early 2024.
The geopolitical tension is underscored by industry warnings. U.S. robotics executives, including from Tesla, are lobbying for tariffs and federal support, fearing a repeat of the drone sector's domination by Chinese firms. Michael Robbins of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International testified to Congress that Chinese robotics initiatives seek to create "a deep-seated technological and industrial dependency" on the U.S.
All these measures are set against the backdrop of China's dominant market position, accounting for over 80% of global humanoid robot deployments last year, and the postponed Trump-Xi summit, which industry leaders worry could delay stronger protective policies for Western markets.
