Sponsors (4)
Last progress June 5, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 5, 2025 by Elise M. Stefanik
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Imposes escalating import duties on certain unmanned aircraft products of the People’s Republic of China, creates customs-entry controls that block some drones from entering the U.S. after January 1, 2031 unless Customs verifies key components were not made in China, and establishes a customs-duty funded grant program to buy/lease “secure” drones for first responders, farmers and ranchers, and critical infrastructure operators. The bill phases in per-unit and ad valorem charges over five years, requires CBP verification backed by FAA-supplied lists for limited exemptions, and directs collected duties into a Treasury fund to support a competitive grant program administered by Treasury with interagency consultation and annual reporting to Congress.
Unmanned aircraft made in the People’s Republic of China dominate the current United States market for unmanned aircraft and present an unacceptable national security risk.
Chinese Communist Party direct subsidization and targeted investment are causing Chinese unmanned aircraft suppliers to undercut the domestic and partnered unmanned aircraft markets and to undermine ad valorem tariffs.
Over 90 percent of unmanned aircraft operated by America’s first responders are made in the People’s Republic of China.
It is strategically critical for first responders, critical infrastructure providers, and farmers and ranchers to have access to secure unmanned aircraft manufactured in the United States or by partners and allies.
The United States cannot rely on the People’s Republic of China to supply unmanned aircraft that are critical to first responder operations.
Who is affected and how:
U.S. and foreign drone manufacturers and exporters: Chinese producers (and supply chains with Chinese components) will face higher costs to sell into the U.S. market and may lose market share; non‑Chinese and U.S. manufacturers could gain competitive advantage if supply chains shift.
Importers, distributors, and retailers: Will bear immediate tariff cost increases and compliance costs; many imports may face higher prices or be blocked if documentation is lacking after 2030.
Unmanned aircraft systems operators (commercial and public-sector): May see higher acquisition and operational costs for imported systems; eligible public operators (first responders, farmers, critical infrastructure) can seek grant support to obtain approved secure systems.
First responders, farmers and ranchers, and critical infrastructure operators: Potential beneficiaries of grant funding to acquire and operate secure UAS; grant funding could lower acquisition costs and encourage adoption of vetted, non‑China-sourced systems.
Federal agencies (CBP, FAA, Treasury, USDA, DOT): Will face new implementation responsibilities — HTS administration, documentation verification, cross-agency data sharing, list creation and maintenance, and grant program administration.
Consumers and downstream users: Likely to face higher retail prices for some UAS products and services during the transition and while domestic/ally production scales up.
Trade and international relations: The targeted duties and import restrictions could prompt trade disputes or retaliation, and may require diplomatic coordination with allies and trading partners.
Supply chains and workforce: Could incentivize investment in domestic and allied manufacturing capacity for UAS components, creating demand for workforce development and potential near‑term supply disruptions as sourcing shifts.
Compliance and transition notes:
Net effect: