US Tariffs Of Up To 100% Take Effect On Drones And Components

New US tariffs of up to 100 percent took effect on Thursday on drones and certain components, as Washington seeks to reduce import reliance in an industry dominated by China, according to RTHK. US President Donald Trump signed an order setting out the duties in August, citing what the White House called "the national security threat posed by imports of drones and their components." The order also aims to boost domestic supply chains. Drones with a takeoff weight exceeding 25 kilogrammes, as well as those with thermal imaging capabilities and docking stations, face a 100 percent tariff. Smaller drones face a 25 percent duty. Some components deemed "not particularly sensitive" will also face duties, but those only take effect on February 9. China opposed the planned tariffs after they were unveiled by Trump, with Beijing urging Washington to withdraw the duties. A Commerce Ministry spokesman said the tariffs would "disrupt the global drone supply chain and further undermine a fair and competitive market environment," and said China firmly opposed the move. DJI, China's leading drone maker founded in 2006, has captured more than two thirds of the global market in recent years, according to several studies. Since 2022, DJI has been on a list of companies determined to pose unacceptable risks to US national security, and it has fought its inclusion on the list.