The decision was announced on Thursday, with Trump saying the measures are intended to protect U.S. national security and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign-made drones and their components. The new tariffs will take effect after 21 days.
According to the White House, certain drones with specific sizes or capabilities considered important to national security will face a 100% tariff, while smaller drones will be subject to a 25% tariff.
Drones and their components imported from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan will face a 15% tariff, while products from the United Kingdom will be subject to a 10% tariff.
Trump said U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had conducted an assessment of the impact of imported drones and their components, finding that the United States has become heavily dependent on foreign suppliers.
“The Secretary found that imported drones account for a significant share of the market and that the United States is heavily reliant on foreign sources for drones and drone components,” Trump said.
The president also warned that drones and components produced by certain foreign companies could pose national security risks, particularly as U.S. manufacturers currently lack sufficient capacity to produce all the equipment the country needs in this sector.
The new tariffs are part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains for technologies considered strategically important to the United States.
Tariffs on imported drones will take effect after 21 days, while tariffs on certain components considered less critical to national security will come into force 180 days after the proclamation was signed.
