New Section 232 Proclamation Targets Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems
On August 13, 2026, President Trump issued a new proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act imposing tariffs on certain imported unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their components. The Administration concluded that the United States’ dependence on foreign-manufactured UAS and critical UAS components threatens to impair national security by limiting the domestic industrial base and creating vulnerabilities in critical supply chains.
The proclamation follows a Section 232 investigation conducted by the Department of Commerce, which found that imports have outpaced domestic production and that the United States remains heavily reliant on foreign suppliers. The Administration also cited concerns surrounding cybersecurity, and dependence on unreliable supply chains.
What Does the Proclamation Do?
The proclamation establishes a new tariff framework based on the type of unmanned aircraft system, and, in some cases, the country of origin:
- 100% tariffs on UAS with a maximum take-off weight of more than 25 kg
- 100% tariffs on UAS that integrate thermal imagers
- 100% tariffs on UAS docking stations
- 100% tariffs on certain critical UAS components as identified in Annex I.
- 25% tariffs on UAS with a maximum take-off weight of 25 kilograms or less […]
