U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing tariffs on imported unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their components, the White House announced on Friday.
"I have concluded that tariffs should be imposed on certain UAVs and their components. In particular, I deem it necessary to impose a 100% tariff on imports of UAVs with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 100 kilograms," the document states.
Additionally, the proclamation introduces a 25% tariff on UAVs with a takeoff weight not exceeding 25 kilograms. The White House also published lists of drone components subject to tariffs. The proclamation authorizes the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to impose additional tariffs on drones if necessary.
Trump justified these measures on national security grounds. In particular, he argued that American companies produce an insufficient number of drones and that the United States has become overly dependent on foreign supplies.