In a sharp reversal, the US Commerce Department and FCC have abandoned their December plan to blacklist new Chinese-made drones over national security risks, following the FCC's addition of foreign drones to its 'Covered List.' The decision supports the trade framework agreed by Presidents Trump and Xi, ahead of Trump's April visit to Beijing.
The US government has quietly retracted its initiative to bar imports of new Chinese drone models, announced by the FCC in December and supported by the Commerce Department. The reversal was formally posted on Thursday and updated on a government website Friday.
This follows the FCC's December announcement placing foreign-made unmanned aircraft systems—including those from Chinese firms DJI and Autel—on its 'Covered List' of national security risks, preventing new FCC authorizations. Ali Wyne, senior research adviser with the International Crisis Group, noted: “This decision underscores President Trump’s desire to sustain the trade framework that he and President Xi approved this past October and ensure a cordial meeting between the two leaders during his April visit to Beijing.”
China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. DJI, previously blacklisted by the US Defense Department, had expressed disappointment over the original action. The shift highlights ongoing tensions in US-China relations, balancing security concerns with trade cooperation.
