The Trump administration has banned new Chinese humanoid robots

The Trump administration said on Tuesday that new humanoid robots entering the United States pose “unacceptable threats” to the country’s national security.

The move also applies to advanced robots — including robotic and quadrupedal machines. Many are made in China, which is locked in a race with the US to develop robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also banned the importation of power inverters used in data centers and solar panels, which it said posed a threat to the US economy.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency is doing its part to “protect America’s critical supply chain.”

The BBC has contacted the Chinese embassy in Washington for comment.

Chinese tech companies have rapidly developed humanoid robots for use in factories and homes.

They have been quick to bring their machines to commercial and public markets, ahead of American humanoid robot rivals such as Elon Musk’s Tesla and Boston Dynamics.