The United States Commerce Department has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have imposed new restrictions on Chinese-made drones, according to a government notice posted Friday. The decision marks the end of a months-long review process and comes just weeks ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to Beijing in April.
Documents published on the federal website show that Commerce formally sent the draft rule to the White House for review on October 8, before withdrawing the proposal on Thursday. The rule, initially introduced in September, was part of an effort to address information and communication technology supply chain concerns tied to Chinese drone manufacturers.
The proposed restrictions specifically targeted leading Chinese drone makers, including DJI and Autel, and were aimed at addressing national security risks identified by the Commerce Department in a January 2025 request for public input. At the time, Commerce warned that threats from China and Russia could “offer our adversaries the ability to remotely access and manipulate these devices, exposing sensitive U.S. data.”
Ali Wyne, senior research adviser with the International Crisis Group, told Reuters that the withdrawal “underscores President Trump’s desire to sustain the trade framework that he and President Xi approved this past October and ensure a cordial meeting between the two leaders during his April visit to Beijing.” He added that the move highlights “Trump’s affinity for Xi and his narrow, trade-centric view of strategic competition between the United States and China,” describing the president as “an iconoclast within the Beltway.”
The decision to abandon the rule follows similar actions by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which last month barred imports of new drone models and critical components from foreign manufacturers, including DJI and Autel, citing national security concerns. Earlier this week, the FCC announced exemptions for certain non-Chinese drones from those restrictions.
According to federal filings, the FCC’s order prevents Chinese manufacturers from receiving the approvals needed to market new drone systems in the United States. However, it does not restrict the import or continued use of existing drone models previously authorized by the agency.
The Commerce Department engaged in several meetings with White House officials as part of the review process, including a session on December 11 with representatives from DJI. During the discussions, DJI argued that blanket restrictions on Chinese-made drones would be “unnecessary, conceptually flawed, and would be extremely harmful to U.S. stakeholders,” according to records posted online.
A U.S. government official cited by Reuters indicated that the withdrawal appears to be directly linked to efforts to prevent new tensions with Beijing ahead of the Trump–Xi summit. Analysts suggest that the administration is seeking to maintain a stable economic and diplomatic environment leading up to the high-profile meeting.
The administration has recently frozen other enforcement actions targeting Chinese technology sectors. In September, Commerce previewed potential new rules addressing medium- and heavy-duty truck imports from China. This followed earlier restrictions finalized in January 2025 under former President Joe Biden, which barred nearly all Chinese cars and trucks from the U.S. market.
The reversal on drone restrictions signals a recalibration of the U.S. approach toward Chinese technology ahead of the Trump–Xi talks. While national security concerns remain, officials appear to be weighing them against broader diplomatic and trade priorities, particularly as both nations navigate ongoing discussions over trade, investment, and technological competition.
With the April summit approaching, the move may ease immediate frictions and open the door for continued negotiations on technology and trade issues, while leaving the door open for targeted security measures through agencies like the FCC. Observers say the decision reflects a strategic balance between protecting U.S. interests and maintaining productive dialogue with China.
