White House imposes tariffs up to 100% on imported drones and components
The White House is imposing tariffs up to 100% on imported drones with thermal imaging or over 25kg takeoff weight, plus docking stations and key components, per Bloomberg. Smaller drones face 25%. EU, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan get 15%; the UK gets 10%. Effective
The White House is imposing a 100% tariff on imported drones considered particularly sensitive for national security, meaning those with a maximum takeoff weight over 25 kilograms or with thermal imaging capability, along with their docking stations and certain critical components, according to Bloomberg and a White House fact sheet. Smaller, less sensitive drones and other drone components will face a 25% tariff. Drones and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan get a reduced 15% rate, while the UK gets 10%. Tariffs on the sensitive category take effect in 21 days; tariffs on components deemed not particularly sensitive phase in over 180 days. The tiered structure taxes drones by size and sensor capability rather than only by country of origin, though allied economies that export drones to the US still face new costs under the plan. The White House says the goal is reducing US dependence on foreign-made drones.