The ban took aim at "humanoid robots" and quadrupeds, of the kind that put AI systems into human- or animal-like bodies. But it will cover imports of new robots from China, as well as power inverters that are used to connect renewable energy sources into the grid. It is part of a broad range of efforts by the US government to protect the country's AI industry amid increasing challenge from Chinese rivals. "The FCC will continue to do our part to secure America's critical supply chains," FCC Chairman Brendan Carr added in the press release. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned that Chinese AI firms could face US sanctions for stealing US intellectual property.