As Chinese Robotics Industry Surges, Senate Considers Limited Federal Procurement Ban

Androids may dream of electric sheep, but Washington isn’t staying quiet on foreign robots.

On March 26, Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced a bill intended to exclude certain Chinese-made robots from federal supply chains, marking one of the strongest efforts yet to limit robots produced by foreign adversaries from entering the United States.

The proposal offers a strong potential first step in securing federal supply chains against Beijing’s efforts to dominate the global robotics market and secure a potential military advantage.

Proposed Bill Aims To Dampen Chinese Market Access

The proposed bill would prevent federal funds from being used to purchase unmanned ground vehicle systems produced by firms under the jurisdiction of a foreign adversary. This prohibition would encompass both humanoid robots and wheeled or tracked vehicles primarily used by law enforcement and emergency first responders. However, the legislation also provides a carve-out for products used in counterterrorism or counterintelligence activities that are modified to prevent communication or data transfers to their manufacturer.

The bill’s proposed provisions are milder than other recent regulatory actions targeting Chinese robotic technologies. Congress had previously encouraged the Department of Defense to designate Unitree, a major Chinese manufacturer, as a “Chinese military company” in December 2025 while banning Chinese drone components from entering the United States during the same month.

Robotics Remains an Economic and Military Priority

Beijing continues to invest in both humanoid and industrial robotics as an emerging global industry and economic necessity amid a rapidly aging population. Relying on supply chains developed for electric vehicles and drones and supported by state investments, Chinese firms remain early leaders in humanoid robots despite struggles in domestically sourcing components such as advanced semiconductors, which are subject to U.S. export controls. The rise of Chinese humanoid robotics firms has also paralleled a surge of sustained investment in industrial robots — machines primarily used on assembly lines — with China installing 300,000 units in 2024 alone, nearly 10 times more than the United States during the same period.

Beijing’s interest in robotics also extends to the battlefield. During its latest military parade in September 2025, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) unveiled a series of unmanned capabilities, including a robotic “wolf” platform intended to engage in long-range reconnaissance, provide logistical support, and operate alongside infantry. These deployments match a rise in state funding for military robotics. In its March filings with the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Unitree executives have acknowledged that the firm received funding from PLA-connected programs and could be subject to U.S. export controls.

Washington Should Target Chinese Military-Linked Firms

The United States should target Chinese robotics firms seeking to expand within the American market while simultaneously receiving support from the PLA.

Given Unitree’s self-reported financial ties to Beijing and its links to funding programs intended to further military-civil fusion, the Department of Defense should consider designating the firm as a Chinese military company, raising its profile among American consumers as a potential national security threat.

Moreover, the Federal Communications Commission should consider adding certain Chinese robots that connect to the internet to the Covered List, preventing their sale in the American market. The Commerce Department should also consider more targeted export controls on software and hardware components used by Chinese firms, particularly advanced sensors used by humanoid robots to perform movements requiring a high degree of fine motor skills. This effort should be conducted in concert with Japan, Germany, and South Korea, all of which remain key nodes in both humanoid and industrial robotic supply chains.  

Jack Burnham is a senior research analyst in the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For more analysis from Jack and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Jack on X @JackBurnham802. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.