The US’ ban on new foreign humanoids opens another front in Washington’s campaign against Chinese tech — but it also adds a new layer of pressure on domestic bot makers. Some in the industry speculated the US might put tariffs on Chinese robots, but Washington routed its ban through the FCC, using equipment-approval rules to block new foreign humanoids and quadrupeds in the same way it banned foreign drones in December, citing national security. The ban, which allows humanoid makers to seek case-by-case approvals, could give Washington a bargaining chip in future talks with China. It also means American robot makers may have to move quickly to onshore their supply chains: Many still rely on Chinese components or do some assembly overseas, which could make them ineligible to sell in the US under the new FCC rule. “I don’t know if something so extensive is the best option,” Andrew Kang, CEO of robot-investment company RoboStrategy, told Semafor.