China is the biggest maker of humanoid robots in the world.
The Trump administration on Tuesday announced a ban on new foreign-made humanoid robot imports to the US over "unacceptable risks" to the country's national security.
The move applies to advanced robots - including humanoid and four-legged machines. Many of them 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 import of power inverters - a component used in data centres and solar panels - which it said could also pose a risk to the US economy.
FCC chairman Brendan Carr said the agency was doing its part
"to secure America's critical supply chains".
The BBC has contacted the Chinese embassy in Washington for comment.
Chinese technology companies have rapidly developed humanoid robots to be used in settings including factories and homes. They have also been quick to market their machines to businesses and the public ahead of US humanoid robot rivals like Elon Musk's Tesla and Boston Dynamics.
Why is the US restricting these imports?
The administration said the ban is aimed at reducing national security risks linked to foreign-made advanced robots. The FCC said the separate restriction on power inverters was intended to address potential risks to the US economy.
How does this affect the robotics race with China?
The restrictions come as China and the US compete to develop robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), with many advanced humanoid and four-legged machines made in China.
Chinese firms have moved quickly to deploy robots in factories and homes and to sell them to businesses and the public, ahead of US rivals including Elon Musk's Tesla and Boston Dynamics.
- The Trump administration announced the ban on Tuesday.
- The restrictions apply to new foreign-made humanoid robot imports and advanced robots, including four-legged machines.
- The FCC also banned imports of power inverters used in data centres and solar panels.
- Brendan Carr said the FCC was doing its part
"to secure America's critical supply chains"
. - The BBC has contacted the Chinese embassy in Washington for comment.
