Photo courtesy of Anadolu
US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of as much as 100 percent on imported drones and key components, escalating Washington’s push to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for technology considered sensitive to national security.
The highest tariff covered drones weighing more than 25 kilograms, units with thermal imaging capabilities, their docking stations and selected critical parts, according to the new proclamation signed Thursday.
Smaller drones without those sensitive capabilities were placed under a 25 percent tariff, extending the restrictions to a broader range of commercial and consumer unmanned aircraft.
Imports from several US partners received lower rates. Drones and qualifying components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan faced a 15 percent tariff, while eligible products from the United Kingdom were subject to a 10 percent rate.
Those preferential rates applied only when substantially all of the hardware, software and technology originated from the listed economies or the United States.
Most of the new tariffs were scheduled to take effect 21 days after the proclamation was signed, while duties on components considered less sensitive were set to begin after 180 days.
The Trump administration said the move followed concerns over heavy US reliance on foreign drone supply chains, particularly for equipment that could be critical during emergencies or military operations.
The White House said the policy was also intended to encourage more drone manufacturing and component production inside the United States, making the tariffs part of a broader effort to strengthen domestic supply chains for unmanned aircraft systems.
