“Securing the drone supply chain is essential to maintaining our national security. This investigation is an important step in protecting the United States from the risks posed by foreign entities,” the secretary said in a statement. outgoing Commerce, Gina Raimondo.
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A controversy grew during the last weeks of 2024 around the multiplication of reports of drones or unidentified flying devices by residents of the New York or New Jersey regions, on which the national authorities are accused of not providing information. sufficient response.
Videos of lights in the sky are circulating on social networks and certain Republican elected officials have mentioned, without substantiating them, threats from foreign states.
According to the US government, more than a million drones operate legally in the country, whether for recreation, economic activities or law enforcement operations.
The main manufacturer of consumer drones in the world, the Chinese DJI, has been in the crosshairs of Washington for several years, accusing it of having provided products for the surveillance of ethnic minorities in China, in particular the Uyghurs, as well as in the war in Ukraine, where its devices are used by both camps.
The company has been on the American list of Chinese companies linked to the military since 2022, and which are therefore subject to restrictions in access to American technologies.
This potential ban on access of Chinese drones to the American market comes as Washington has already imposed restrictions in terms of latest generation semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China as well as the sale of electric vehicles. or spare parts integrating Chinese technologies on American territory.
