US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing new import tariffs on drones and their components. The maximum rate will be 100%, but it will not apply to all drones, but to categories that Washington considers particularly sensitive to national security.
US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing new import tariffs on drones and their components. The maximum rate will be 100%, but it will not apply to all drones, but to categories that Washington considers particularly sensitive to national security.
According to the White House, this category includes, in particular, drones with a maximum take-off weight of more than 25 kg, as well as drones with thermal imaging capabilities. The 100% duty also applies to docking stations for such systems and certain critical components.
A 25% duty is imposed on smaller drones that do not have functions of particular national security interest. The same rate will apply to some other components.
The US has set lower tariffs for a number of allies. The 15% tariff will apply to drones and components from the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The UK will pay 10%. However, the preferential tariffs are provided on the condition that almost all equipment, software and technology originate from the relevant country or the US.
The new tariffs are part of Washington’s policy to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign suppliers of drones and their components. The White House says that American industry currently does not produce enough unmanned systems for national security needs, and that dependence on foreign components creates security and cybersecurity risks.
Separately, the proclamation instructs the US Secretary of Commerce to create a program to encourage the localization of production for companies that will invest in the production of drones and components in the US. That is, Washington uses tariffs not only as a trade barrier, but also as a tool to transfer part of the production chain inside the country.
The bulk of the new tariffs will take effect 21 days after the proclamation is signed. For components that are not considered particularly sensitive, a longer transition period of 180 days is provided.
