China Threatens 'Resolute' Retaliation over US Robot Ban
China threatens ‘resolute’ retaliation after the US moved to bar imports of Chinese humanoid robots, and it holds the rare-earth card.
Beijing's Response
Beijing has threatened “resolute” retaliation after Washington proposed a ban on Chinese-made humanoid robots, labeling the move discriminatory and harmful to trade ties.
July 30, 2026 - 7:21 pm
Image by: Faraday Future
The US' response: Banning Chinese robot imports. China's answer: Retaliation where it hurts.
The Commerce Ministry's Stance
The commerce ministry demanded the US withdraw its decision and threatened countermeasures if not. It accused Washington of "overstretching" national security concerns, disrupting global supply chains.
What the US Banned
The FCC order added foreign-made "advanced robotic devices" to its restricted list, blocking new humanoids and robot dogs from import approval in the US (except already-approved models). This includes robots over 4.4 pounds that can sense their surroundings, ranging from lawnmowers to delivery bots and vacuum cleaners, with Chinese firms dominating this category.
China's Leverage
China's response carries weight due to its control over rare earths and market access for US giants like Tesla and Nvidia. This comes at a bad time for Chinese robot makers who are planning IPOs, with Unitree and Agibot already having filed.
A Complex Situation
There’s an awkward truth: building competitive humanoids without Chinese parts is nearly impossible, given China's advantage in robotics and global dominance in factory robots. This clash occurs at a delicate time, with Trump hosting Xi Jinping in September and rising tensions on AI controls.
China's threat of 'resolute' retaliation against the US robot ban goes beyond words. With its control over rare earths, a key component in many advanced technologies, China holds a powerful card. By restricting exports of rare earths to the US, it can significantly impact American companies like Tesla and Nvidia, which rely on these materials for their cutting-edge products. This strategic move adds a new layer of complexity to the global tech landscape, as the US looks to reduce its dependence on Chinese supply chains. Related: Everyone hated Friend’s AI necklace, so it came back at double the price Everyone hated Friend’s AI necklace, so it came back at double the price