US President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports of unmanned drones and their components. This move is a bid to reduce US reliance on imports in an industry that is majorly dominated by China.
In December 2025, the US’s telecommunications regulatory body Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had argued that domestic production of drones would “reduce the risk of direct UAS attacks and disruptions, unauthorised surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other UAS threats to the homeland”, AFP reported.
China’s Dominance in the Global Drone Market
China continues to hold a significant position in the drone industry, with DJI, a prominent Chinese manufacturer, commanding over two-thirds of the global drone market in recent years. This data has been corroborated by multiple studies referenced by AFP, highlighting the company’s substantial influence and market share in this rapidly growing sector.
