Washington is considering banning commercial flights from China and Russia

On Thursday, the US government launched public consultations that could lead to a ban on the sale of commercial drones or spare parts from China or Russia, justifying the possibility of taking this measure due to the risks surrounding national security.
The consultations, which conclude on March 4, are supposed to allow strengthening the rules regarding supply with the aim of avoiding the arrival of parts or devices from “foreign adversaries”, especially China and Russia.

According to the Department of Commerce, which is responsible for conducting these consultations, these aircraft “may give adversaries the ability to control and use them remotely, which puts sensitive American data at risk.”

Protecting national security

Outgoing Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement, “Securing the drone supply chain is critical to maintaining our national security, and this investigation (consultations) constitutes an important step in protecting the United States from the risks posed by foreign entities.”

Controversy escalated in the last weeks of 2024 regarding an increase in reports by residents of New York and New Jersey about monitoring drones or unidentified flying devices, and national authorities are accused of not providing sufficient information about these sightings.
According to the US government, there are more than one million drones flying legally in the country, whether for entertainment, economic activities, or law enforcement purposes.

This potential ban on Chinese drones entering the American market comes at a time when Washington has imposed restrictions on the export of the latest semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China, in addition to the sale of electric cars or spare parts that include Chinese technology on American soil.