The United States will add a 100 percent tariff on heavier imported drones, docking stations, and equipment that can be used as weapons or for surveillance by foreign enemies, President Donald Trump announced on Aug. 13.
“The actions in this proclamation will, among other things, encourage increased domestic production of [drones] and [drone] components and reduced reliance on foreign sources and foreign supply chains,” Trump stated in the proclamation.
A tariff of 25 percent was added to drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
European countries, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Taiwan can qualify for a smaller 15 percent rate if they use hardware, software, and technology from approved countries or the United States. The UK can also get a 10 percent rate with the same condition.
The tariffs will take effect in 21 days. Tariffs on drone components that are not particularly sensitive will take effect 180 days after signing.
The president said the tariffs would promote investment, employment, manufacturing, and innovation in the United States.
The action was also aimed at strengthening the defense industrial base to domestically produce key systems and products to support military operations, defense readiness, and other national security functions, Trump said.
Drones are now used as key technology in modern armed conflict and are critical for U.S. military operations, according to the White House.
In December 2025, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) banned all new models of foreign-made drone models, citing national security concerns.
The president’s proclamation was issued after Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick reported that the United States was “too reliant on foreign sources” for drones and drone components, according to the president.
Relying on foreign sources for drones and parts needed to operate them could present risks and disruptions during global conflicts or natural disasters that affect global trade, Trump said in the proclamation.
“Such reliance poses significant risks to U.S. national security through our dependence on unreliable supply chains for an essential technology and the potential of significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities,” Trump stated.
Drones are widely used by private companies and state and local governments for agriculture, emergency and first response, telecommunications, energy, construction, and transportation and delivery services.
Lutnick also found that drones and drone components come from some nations that pose security risks. Products from such a country could allow data to be sent back to that country and possibly be exploited. Operators are unable to control the data flow because it is integrated into the factory-installed operating system, according to the proclamation.
U.S. domestic capacity must expand rapidly for end products, components, and subcomponents to meet anticipated military and commercial needs, and to ensure U.S. competitiveness, according to the White House.
Included in the proclamation was an incentive program for companies investing in new U.S. drone production capacity.
