US President Donald Trump has signed executive orders meant to rebuild America’s drone industry, tighten airspace security and boost military readiness, potentially squeezing Chinese manufacturers like DJI and Autel Robotics out of the market.
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“Immediate action is needed to ensure American sovereignty over its skies,” Trump stated in one of the orders, warning that foreign-made drones were “endangering the public” and compromising critical infrastructure.
The orders also call for federal investment in US drone production to rebuild a domestic sector that has been eclipsed by Chinese competition.
They come after years of mounting concern in Washington over Chinese drone makers like DJI and Autel, which dominate the US commercial market.
While the new directives did not name specific countries or companies, they expand on earlier efforts to restrict drones linked to foreign adversaries.
Based in Shenzhen, DJI controls up to 90 per cent of America’s consumer drone market and 70 per cent globally, according to industry estimates cited in a US government-commissioned report.