Trump Hits Some Drones With 100% Tariffs and Orders US Production Push

What the New Drone Tariff Schedule Actually Imposes

President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation imposing new tariffs on imported drones and related components, with the steepest duties aimed at systems seen as posing a national security risk. The rules take effect Sept. 3.

Drones with a maximum takeoff weight above 55 pounds or thermal imaging capability will face a 100% tariff. Smaller drones and components without defense capabilities will be charged 25%. Imports from a group of US allies—EU members, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan—will be subject to a 15% rate, while UK-made systems qualify for 10% if all hardware, software and technology originate from the listed countries or the US.

The proclamation also directs Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to create an onshoring incentive program for companies investing in domestic drone and component manufacturing. The measures align with the administration's argument that US production must be expanded and dependence on China reduced; China's drone market is projected to be worth $15.6 billion in 2025 and has the deepest component supply chain, according to Drone Intelligence.

In a separate rule effective Thursday, the Commerce Department removed required licenses for some civilian drones and related components tied to wind gust tolerance, and removed national security controls on parts without military or intelligence capabilities.

Why Washington Is Targeting Drone Imports—and What It Means for Supply Chains

The Tariff Schedule Is Built Around a Capability Test

The 100% duty is not a blanket drone tax. It applies only to systems above a 55-pound maximum takeoff weight or with thermal imaging, while smaller non-defense drones and components face 25%. That structure treats weight and imaging as rough proxies for security sensitivity and pushes importers to demonstrate that their products fall below the line.

The reduced 15% and 10% rates for listed allies create a parallel test based on origin. For UK-made drones, the 10% rate is available only when all hardware, software and technology originate from the listed countries or the US, which may be difficult to prove for complex component supply chains.

China Decoupling Is Now a Two-Way Street

The US pivot away from China began well before this proclamation: in 2017 the Army banned soldiers from using DJI drones. China has now made the pressure mutual by adding military-linked companies to its export control list and naming 46 defense and aerospace firms—including Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics subsidiaries—to its procurement list.

The policy consequences reach beyond tariffs. The NDAA for fiscal 2026 would bar the Defense Department from buying batteries made with materials from China or Russia beginning Jan. 1, 2028. Coupled with the White House's restriction on DOD waivers for foreign entities of concern, this creates a compliance timeline, not just a one-time cost change.

The Trade Policy Arrives With a Political Overlay

The drone push also runs alongside the Trump family's expanding defense-technology investments: Donald Trump Jr. is an investor and advisory board member at drone maker Unusual Machines, and 1789 Capital has backed Hadrian and Vulcan Elements. Democrats are demanding answers over Vulcan's $620 million DOD loan, though Donald Trump Jr. has denied involvement in that deal.

Not every drone-related rule is tightening. The Commerce Department finalized a separate rule removing license requirements for some civilian drones and parts related to wind gust tolerance, and removing national security controls on parts without military or intelligence capabilities.

Next Steps for Drone Importers and US Suppliers

• Classify before Sept. 3. Drones above 55 pounds maximum takeoff weight or with thermal imaging face a 100% duty; smaller non-defense systems and components face 25%.
• Document origin carefully. Imports from EU members, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan qualify for 15%; UK-made systems qualify for 10% only if all hardware, software and technology originate from the listed countries or the US.
• Map battery sourcing for defense contracts. Under the NDAA, the DOD would be prohibited from buying batteries made with materials from China or Russia from Jan. 1, 2028.
• Review DOD waiver exposure. Executive action restricting Department of Defense waivers for critical minerals and components from foreign entities of concern may delay or block current sourcing paths.
• Watch for the Commerce onshoring program. Secretary Howard Lutnick has been ordered to create investment incentives for domestic drone and component manufacturing, but eligibility and subsidy details are not yet published.