Washington—US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation establishing tariffs of up to 100% on certain categories of imported drones and their components, with the goal of reducing US dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthening domestic production.
The measure includes a 100% tariff on drones considered
particularly sensitive to national security, including those with a maximum
takeoff weight exceeding 25 kilograms or equipped with thermal imaging
capabilities, as well as certain control stations and critical components.
Smaller drones that do not have these characteristics will
be subject to a 25% tariff. Differentiated rates were established for products
from some US allies: 15% for the European Union, Japan, South Korea,
Switzerland, Taiwan, and Liechtenstein, and 10% for the United Kingdom, under
certain technological and manufacturing origin conditions.
The White House justified the decision by stating that
reliance on foreign components for unmanned aerial systems poses risks to U.S.
national security and supply chains.
The new tariffs will generally take effect 21 days after the
proclamation is signed, while certain components considered less sensitive will
have a 180-day grace period.
The Trump administration also authorized the Department of
Commerce to establish a program to incentivize new investments in the
manufacture of drones and their components within the United States, as part of
a strategy to expand domestic production and reduce dependence on foreign
suppliers.