US drone tariffs of up to 100% take effect

New US tariffs of up to 100% took effect Thursday on drones and certain components, as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on imports in an industry dominated by China.

US President Donald Trump signed an order setting out the duties in August. The White House described imports of drones and their components as a national security threat and said the order was also meant to support domestic supply chains.

Drones with a takeoff weight of more than 25 kilograms, drones with thermal imaging capabilities and docking stations face a 100% tariff. Smaller drones face a 25% duty.

Some drone components described in the order as “not particularly sensitive” will also face duties, but those measures take effect on February 9 next year.

China opposed the planned tariffs shortly after Trump announced them and urged Washington to withdraw the duties. A Chinese commerce ministry spokesman said the tariffs would “disrupt the global drone supply chain and further undermine a fair and competitive market environment”.

Chinese company DJI, founded in 2006, has captured more than two-thirds of the global drone market in recent years, according to several studies.

Since 2022, DJI has been on a US list of Chinese firms linked to China’s military and subject to restrictions on access to US technology. DJI has fought its inclusion on the list.