Smaller drones that lack national security abilities will be taxed at a 25% rate. | Photo Credit: K_MURALI_KUMAR

The Trump administration is applying a 100 per cent tariff on imports of unmanned aircraft systems and their components in a bid to cut the US’s reliance on foreign supplies of drones. 

The top 100 per cent rate will apply to drones of a certain size or those that possess national-security capabilities, according to a White House statement. Other imports will face lower duties. The levies will take effect for many of the products in 21 days. 

Smaller drones that lack national security abilities will be taxed at a 25 per cent rate. Economies that struck trade deals with President Donald Trump will see their drones levied in line with the rates set in those agreements. 

The announcement could heavily affect the Chinese drone market. China is the world’s dominant manufacturer of remote-controlled aerial vehicles, with Shenzhen-based DJI Technologies accounting for about 70 per cent of the US commercial drone market as of last year.

Published on August 14, 2026