US to Impose Tariffs on Imported Drones and Components

New York (ANTARA) - United States President Donald Trump on Thursday (13/8) signed a document to impose tariffs ranging from 10 to 100 per cent on imported drones and their components, citing national security concerns.

The US will impose a 100 per cent ad valorem tariff on drones with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 25 kg that possess thermal imaging capabilities or certain other characteristics.

Docking stations and certain critical components of such drones will also be subject to a 100 per cent tariff, the White House said in a statement.

A 25 per cent tariff will be imposed on smaller drones that ‘do not have certain capabilities that specifically implicate national security’, while tariffs of 15 per cent or 10 per cent will apply to drones and their components originating from specific countries and regions, it said.

The tariffs will take effect 21 days after the document was signed, while tariffs on less sensitive drone components will take effect in 180 days.

For products already approved by the Pentagon for exemption from the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) ‘Covered List’ within 20 days of the signing, the tariffs will take effect 180 days after the signing, the White House stated.

The document also authorises Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to establish an onshoring programme for companies making new investments in drone and component manufacturing.