Washington DC: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at subjecting robots manufactured by China and other foreign adversaries to national security reviews, with the possibility of banning their entry into the American market.
The proposed Guarding the US Against Adversarial Robotics Dominance (GUARD) Act was introduced by House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, along with Representatives Jay Obernolte and Jennifer McClellan.
The legislation seeks to address what lawmakers describe as growing national security risks associated with foreign-made robotics systems, particularly those produced by Chinese companies.
Moolenaar argued that Chinese-manufactured robots could pose threats to critical infrastructure, national security and American workers. He warned that vulnerabilities embedded in such systems could potentially be exploited for espionage or other hostile activities if Chinese robotics technology becomes widely integrated into US industries and public spaces.
The congressman also accused Chinese robotics companies, including Unitree Robotics, of benefiting from significant state support that allows them to sell products at prices difficult for American competitors to match. According to him, such practices could weaken domestic robotics manufacturers, increase dependence on foreign technology and strengthen firms that allegedly maintain links with China’s military sector.
Representative Jay Obernolte said robotics is becoming increasingly embedded in the US economy and stressed the need to ensure that communications systems powering these technologies remain secure from foreign interference.
He said the GUARD Act would help protect national security while also encouraging innovation and growth within the domestic robotics industry.
Representative Jennifer McClellan echoed those concerns, stating that the United States must remain alert to evolving threats posed by countries such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. She argued that communications equipment and technologies presenting potential security risks should not be allowed to operate in American homes, businesses or public infrastructure.
Under the proposed legislation, US national security agencies would be required to review humanoid and quadruped robots manufactured by companies based in countries designated as foreign adversaries.
Any robot found to pose unacceptable security risks could be added to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Covered List, effectively preventing it from being sold or used in the United States. The bill also includes a provision stating that products not reviewed within one year would automatically be placed on the Covered List.
The proposal follows earlier concerns raised by members of the House Select Committee on China regarding Unitree Robotics. Lawmakers had previously urged US authorities to consider placing the company on the Pentagon’s list of Chinese military companies, the Commerce Department’s Entity List and the FCC Covered List.
If enacted, the GUARD Act would mark one of the most significant US efforts to regulate foreign-made robotics technology on national security grounds, reflecting Washington’s broader push to reduce technological dependence on strategic rivals.
