Hey drone lovers across South and Southeast Asia! 🚁 Big news just in: the U.S. Commerce Department has pulled back on plans to restrict Chinese-made drones. Here’s what you need to know:
- What happened? In September, Commerce proposed new rules to limit imports of Chinese drones over security concerns. On January 8, after White House review and talks with DJI, those plans were shelved.
- FCC vs. Commerce Last month, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission barred new Chinese drone models from getting approval to operate in the U.S. But this doesn’t ban existing models you may already own.
- Why it matters Chinese brands like DJI account for over half of global drone sales. Dropping the Commerce restrictions means fewer hurdles for businesses and hobbyists importing drones to the U.S., which can influence global prices and availability.
- Looking ahead While the Commerce plan is off the table, FCC rules still affect new Chinese models in the U.S. market. For us in Asia, popular DJI models and accessories remain widely available—so keep flying and filming those epic travel vlogs and cricket match highlights!
This week’s move shows how tech, trade, and security debates play out on the global stage 🌏 Stay tuned for more updates on how these shifts impact gadget prices and regulations in our region.
Reference(s):
U.S. Commerce Department drops plan for Chinese drone restrictions
cgtn.com
