Trump orders tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones, components

US President Donald Trump on Friday ordered tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and certain drone components, saying heavy reliance on foreign-made equipment poses a threat to US national security and critical supply chains.

Under the proclamation, drones weighing more than 25 kilograms, drones equipped with thermal imaging systems, docking stations and certain critical components will face a 100% tariff starting September 3.

Smaller drones weighing 25 kilograms or less will face a 25% tariff.

A separate 25% tariff on additional drone components will take effect February 9, 2027, giving manufacturers time to shift production to the United States.

The tariffs follow a Commerce Department investigation conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which allows the president to restrict imports deemed a threat to national security.

The administration said the United States is overly dependent on foreign suppliers for drones and critical components including motors, electronic speed controllers, lithium-ion batteries and docking stations.

Even drones assembled domestically often rely on components produced overseas, according to the proclamation.

The move comes as drones have become increasingly important in modern warfare and as governments and companies seek to secure domestic supplies of the technology amid growing concerns over foreign dependence and supply-chain disruptions.

The administration said drones made by some foreign entities can transmit data back to manufacturers in other countries through factory-installed software, potentially allowing foreign governments to access the information.

Drones are a "key technology in modern armed conflict" and are critical to current and future US military operations, the proclamation said. It also cited their growing use in law enforcement, agriculture, disaster response, infrastructure protection, transportation and other commercial activities.

The administration said the tariffs are intended to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

The proclamation creates an incentive program under which companies building or expanding US facilities to manufacture drones and their components could receive tariff relief while those facilities are under construction.

Approved companies will be allowed to import covered drone products and necessary production equipment without paying the applicable Section 232 tariffs during construction, in volumes tied to the expected output of their new US facilities.

The proclamation also gives the commerce secretary authority to add more drone components to the tariff list if imports of those products increase in a way that threatens national security or undermines the administration's objectives.