Trump’s 100% tariff on drones will be disaster for the US, critics warn

The Trump administration set a 100% tariff on imported drones with thermal imaging or weighing over 55 lb, a 25% tariff on smaller “nonsensitive” drones, and 10-15% duties on units from Britain, the EU, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan. DJI supplies over 70% of global commercial drones, and the tariffs are expected to increase prices for thermal drones used in search-and-rescue, wildfire tracking, and police work. The FCC is reviewing a reclassification of certain drone technologies as “military grade,” which could further restrict civilian use.