US Lawmakers Advance Measures Targeting Foreign Humanoid Robots

Several legislative efforts in the United States have focused on restricting the use and importation of humanoid robotic systems linked to designated foreign adversaries. These developments reflect ongoing policy actions in response to national security and industrial competition concerns.

On July 23, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prevent the Department of Defense from procuring, leasing, or operating humanoid robots associated with countries such as China, Russia, and Iran. This provision, found in Section 163 of the draft NDAA, is limited to military procurement and does not extend to commercial sales.

Earlier, on June 3, 2026, Representative John Moolenaar and colleagues introduced the bipartisan Guarding the U.S. Against Adversarial Robotics Dominance (GUARD) Act. This bill seeks to prohibit the importation of robots identified as national security threats and would require a review of humanoid and quadruped robots from China and other foreign adversaries for possible prohibition.

On November 21, 2025, Senator Bill Cassidy introduced the Humanoid ROBOT Act, which would block federal agencies and their contractors from using humanoid robots developed in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. The proposed legislation also includes oversight of foreign investment in U.S. humanoid robotics companies.

What the numbers show

• Over $100 billion was committed by the Chinese government to robotics technologies in April 2026
• Approximately 16,000 humanoid robots were sold worldwide in 2025
• Chinese manufacturers now produce nearly 60% of China’s industrial robots domestically

The U.S. Economic and Security Review Commission has recommended that Congress consider laws to restrict or ban the importation of autonomous humanoid robots with advanced capabilities. This recommendation aligns with recent legislative proposals targeting foreign-made robotics systems.

China’s humanoid robotics sector has expanded, with dozens of companies producing these robots domestically. In contrast, only a small number of U.S. firms are engaged in humanoid robotics production, according to congressional testimony.

In March 2026, U.S. artificial intelligence and robotics companies stated that lawmakers should take action against Chinese robot manufacturers, naming Unitree Robotics as a particular concern. These statements cited both national security and competitive issues.

Industry reaction

U.S. AI and robotics firms have urged Congress to address the presence of Chinese humanoid robots in the American market. Their statements referenced security and competition as reasons for legislative action.

According to a statement by the House Science Committee chairman, the Chinese government has provided substantial financial support to its robotics sector, backing around 140 firms focused on humanoid robots.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.