China Faces Sweeping Blockade; Business Leaders Warn of Mounting Difficulties
President Donald Trump is facing pressure from the Democratic Party for what critics view as a softened stance towards China, having authorised the export of advanced AI chips to China and suspended certain security measures targeting Chinese companies operating in the United States. Nevertheless, several Chinese firms remain subject to total blockade actions from the US government. One such victim is drone manufacturer DJI.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has decided to restrict imports of all new DJI drone models to the United States, along with other critical components. This comprehensive ban also covers drone products from Chinese rival Autel.
DJI has not remained idle and has filed a legal suit to challenge the FCC’s decision. In a statement, the world’s largest drone manufacturer is challenging the FCC’s decision in US appeals court.
“The FCC’s decision arbitrarily restricts DJI’s business in the United States and denies American customers access to our latest technology,” DJI stated in a statement cited from Reuters on Wednesday (25 February 2026).
The FCC’s decision targets Chinese drone manufacturers. DJI, Autel, and other foreign drone companies will not receive FCC approval to sell new drone models or critical components to the United States.
Nevertheless, older models can still be sold in the US market. The FCC has not yet responded to a comment request regarding DJI’s new lawsuit.
In December 2024, Congress ordered DJI and Autel to be placed on a ‘ban’ list within one year, unless a security review determines the companies are eligible to continue selling their products to the United States.
The move marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to block Chinese-made drones in the United States over recent years.
DJI is represented by Travis LeBlanc, former head of the FCC’s enforcement bureau, and Elizabeth Prelongar, former US Attorney General.
In January, the FCC stated that the government exempted imports of several new foreign-made drone models and their critical components from a sweeping import ban imposed from December 2025 through the end of 2026. This exemption does not apply to Chinese-made drones.
In September 2025, a judge rejected DJI’s petition to remove it from the US Department of Defence’s ‘special list’. This list contains Chinese companies suspected of working for Beijing’s military.
By way of context, DJI sells more than half of the commercial drones in circulation in the United States.
Another Chinese manufacturer, Hikvision, filed a lawsuit in December to challenge the FCC’s decision blocking new approvals for devices with components from companies on the Covered List.
The decision also permits the FCC to ban equipment that was previously approved in certain cases.