On Aug. 13, the US government signed a proclamation imposing 100% tariffs on selected unmanned aerial vehicles and parts, a move aimed at reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and safeguarding national security and domestic supply chains, according to the reported announcement.
The tariffs apply to drones with a maximum take-off weight above 25 kg or those equipped with national-security-sensitive capabilities such as thermal imaging, as well as their docking stations and critical components. Most products will face the duties 21 days after the signing, while non-sensitive components will be covered after 180 days.
The announcement noted that Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act was used during the first Trump administration to revive the steel and aluminum industries, and that tariffs have since been reintroduced on steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, timber and pharmaceuticals. The new drone measure is described as part of the same effort to protect critical industries.