Trump administration’s ban on foreign-made drones starts this week — you can say goodbye to new DJI models

On Monday, the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission banned the distribution of all new foreign-made drone models in the United States, citing “national security concerns.” The government said Americans who already own older foreign models of drones will still be able to use the products.

In a fact sheet published Monday, the FCC claimed that “criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists” could use drones to “present new and serious threats to our homeland.” As a result, the agency said it has updated its covered list — a list of products that are “perceived to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security” of the country — to include all “critical components of drones and drones produced abroad.”

Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said Monday that he approved the policy. “I welcome the executive branch’s decision on national security, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign drones and related components, which pose an unacceptable risk to national security, to the FCC’s covered list,” Carr said. “Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash America’s drone dominance.”

The new rule will obviously affect many different companies, but it is intended to strike a blow against Chinese drone maker DJI, which is currently the dominant player in drone sales globally. In fact, DJI is one of the most popular drone brands for American consumers.

When contacted by TechCrunch for comment, DJI said it disagreed with the decision. “DJI is disappointed by the FCC’s action today to add foreign-made drones to the covered list. While DJI was not selected, no information has been released regarding the information the Executive used in reaching its decision.”

The company, which said it remains committed to the US market, continued: “As the industry leader, DJI has advocated for an open and competitive market that benefits all American consumers and commercial users, and will continue to do so. DJI products are among the safest and most secure on the market, backed by years of reviews conducted by US government agencies and independent third parties.”

Throughout his multiple presidential administrations, Trump has repeatedly been tough on Chinese companies. His administration laid the groundwork for a new drone ban by issuing an executive order in June that seeks to boost production of U.S.-made drones and thus foster a “strong and secure domestic drone sector,” while also working to secure “the U.S. drone supply chain against foreign control or exploitation.”