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Trump’s New Orders Likely To Ban Chinese DJI Drones, Impacting Pilots And Drone Industry. President Donald Trump’s upcoming executive orders...
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| Trump’s New Orders Likely To Ban Chinese DJI Drones, Impacting Pilots And Drone Industry. |
According to a recent Washington Post report, these orders aim to address national security concerns while boosting domestic drone production, a move that could affect both recreational pilots and professional operators across the country.
Driving Drone Restrictions
The White House is finalizing multiple executive orders targeting Chinese drone manufacturers, focusing on security risks identified by the U.S. intelligence community. The orders follow a 2024 Congressional mandate to review whether companies like DJI and Autel pose threats to national security. If the reviews confirm these risks, Chinese firms could face new licensing requirements, effectively blocking them from selling future drone models in the U.S.
This comes after the Department of Defense banned the military from using Chinese drones in 2018, citing vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, states like Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee have already prohibited Police agencies from purchasing Chinese drones, reflecting growing concerns.
“If listed, there will most likely not be new or updated DJI or Autel equipment to be sold on the market because the manufacturers will not be able to obtain FCC certifications for the wireless transmitters.”
This could severely limit options for pilots, as DJI dominates the market with affordable, high-quality drones used by hobbyists, law enforcement, and industries like search-and-rescue. The executive orders also aim to support the struggling U.S. Drone Industry, which has been outpaced by Chinese manufacturers offering lower-priced, advanced technology. DJI drones, for instance, are widely used for their compact designs—like the DJI Mini 4 Pro, weighing under 0.55 pounds (249 grams)—and capabilities such as 4K video and obstacle avoidance.
U.S. companies, including Skydio, Brinc Drones and others, have struggled to match these features at competitive prices and quantities. The orders direct the federal government to invest in domestic drone production, potentially opening opportunities for American manufacturers to innovate.
Not surprisingly, Lisa Ellman, co-founder and CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance, expressed optimism about the changes. Ellman told the Washington Post, “We’ve been asking for U.S. leadership for a really long time. Our hope is that … we’ll see a strong statement from the White House supporting industry, both on the innovation side and the security side.”
This support could lead to advancements in U.S.-made drones, offering pilots more secure and locally produced options. For drone operators, the orders could bring significant regulatory shifts. The new policies are expected to ease restrictions on flying commercial drones beyond the visual line of sight of the operator, potentially allowing flights over much longer distances.
Additionally, the orders may require owners of private infrastructure, such as railroads and amusement parks, to request Federal Aviation Administration approval for commercial drone operations over their sites. These changes aim to balance security with expanded operational flexibility, though they may add bureaucratic hurdles for pilots.
Drone Industry Trends
The potential ban on Chinese drones aligns with broader U.S.-China tensions over technology and trade. Trump’s administration has already threatened Beijing with tariffs and export restrictions on critical materials, citing trade violations. Craig Singleton, a China Specialist at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said, “Done right, this E.O. can catalyze a broader U.S. effort to scale domestic production, harden supply chains, and align allied drone standards—pushing back on Beijing’s techno-authoritarian export model.”
This reflects a strategic push for industrial resilience, though it may lead to higher costs for consumers as U.S.-made drones catch up technologically. For drone professionals and enthusiasts, these developments signal a pivotal moment. While the ban could limit access to popular models, it may also spur innovation and growth in the U.S. drone sector, reshaping the market for years to come.
