Ministry of Commerce: Strengthen Export Controls on UAV-Related Dual-Use Items Destined for the United States
Source: CCTV News / Yicai Global | Release Date: August 5, 2026
On August 5, the Ministry of Commerce issued an announcement. In accordance with the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Export Control of Dual-Use Items and other relevant laws and regulations, and to safeguard national security and interests as well as fulfill international non-proliferation and other obligations, China has decided to tighten export controls on UAV-related dual-use items bound for the United States.
Core Contents of the Announcement
Exports to the United States of UAVs, their key components and relevant technologies included in the List of Dual-Use Items Subject to Export Control of the People's Republic of China shall be subject to strict case-by-case review, with no streamlined licensing measures applicable.
This announcement shall take effect upon its issuance.
Policy Background: U.S. Imposition of Section 232 Tariffs Came First
At a regular press briefing on August 20, He Yadong, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, offered further remarks on the matter and elaborated on the backdrop of the control measures.
China has taken note of the U.S. decision to impose Section 232 tariffs on UAVs and their components. China has long held the view that the U.S. Section 232 measures represent unilateralism and protectionism under the pretext of "national security". In fact, UAVs exported from China to the U.S. are mainly deployed for civilian uses including agriculture, equipment inspection, film and television entertainment.
He Yadong stated that the U.S. Section 232 measures overstretch the concept of national security, impose differentiated tariff rates on trading partners, and discriminate against relevant Chinese products. Such moves severely harm the interests of Chinese enterprises, disrupt the cooperative order of the global UAV industrial and supply chains, and further undermine a level playing field for fair competition. China firmly opposes such practices and urges the U.S. side to immediately revoke all Section 232 tariff measures.
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