US Imposes 100% Tariff on Larger Drone Imports, Mainly Targeting China

According to Khabaronline, citing Tasnim News Agency, the United States government said President Donald Trump has signed an order imposing tariffs on drone imports and their components. Under the order, announced Thursday, August 13, 2026 (22 Mordad 1405), drones above a certain size or with specific safety capabilities will face a 100 percent tariff on their value, while smaller models without those features will face a 25 percent tariff. The US government said the aim is to boost domestic drone production and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.

Most of the tariffs take effect September 3, 2026, and mainly target China; Chinese company DJI, founded in 2006, controls nearly two thirds of the global drone market. Drone imports and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan will face a 15 percent tariff, and imports from the United Kingdom a 10 percent tariff, taking effect 21 days after the related agreements are signed. Less security sensitive components are given a 180 day grace period. Ahead of the decision, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had conducted an investigation into national security risks from drone imports from certain foreign companies.