Trump ban on new foreign drones could raise prices and shrink choices

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: NBC News

Jan. 18, 2026, 5:00 AM EST


In late December, the Federal Communications Commission set the drone world abuzz with a sudden announcement that all new models of foreign-made drones and critical components would be banned from the United States. The move, aimed at reshoring and shoring up America’s drone industry, took many observers by surprise given the state of domestic drone supply chains.

Because of the fledgling nature of America’s domestic drone industry, the ban is likely to throttle the overall availability of cheap, cutting-edge drones and spike prices for American hobbyists, consumers and businesses in the next few years.

“It’s an absolute s---show. It’s terrible. The United States doesn’t make any drone components,” Chris Larson, CEO of the American drone-component manufacturer Standard Systems, told NBC News. “There’s a few suppliers here and there, but it’s really only popped upwards over the last couple years.”

“The reality is, in the drone world, everything is made in China, and it’s going to take some time for things to get ramped up here,” he said.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/trump-foreign-drone-ban-prices-choice-rcna252417

[CousinIT]

1. Raising prices and shrinking choices is Republicans' favorite thing to do! n/t

[travelingthrulife]

2. And also help his own son's business...or did our illustrious media miss that.

[ChazInAz]

3. Afraid of something, Krasnov?

He's probably noticed what Ukraine is doing to Russia.

[ToxMarz]

4. But the drones he has banned are nothing like that

Predominantly they are for aerial photography and things like surveying land. Farmers are beginning to use them a lot. Other than what they can potentially photograph, there isn't a lot of damage they can do. Most of which every significant nation already has satellites that capture that information.