China urges US to drop sweeping drone tariffs, warns of global supply chain fallout

Beijing also hit back at US allegations that Chinese exporters are evading duties, while drone shipments are already under serious pressure

Beijing has urged Washington to scrap planned tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imported drones, warning the measures unfairly target Chinese products and threaten global supply chains.

The tariffs are not set to take effect until September 3, but Chinese drone shipments to the United States are already under pressure, with exports of some models plunging in July, the latest customs data showed.

On Thursday, He Yadong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, said Beijing firmly opposed Washington’s decision to invoke national security powers – specifically Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act – to levy duties on drones and components, accusing it of applying uneven tariff rates on trading partners.

Warning that the measures would “seriously harm the interests of Chinese companies” and “disrupt cooperation in the global drone supply chain”, He told a regular press briefing that Washington should withdraw the tariffs immediately.

Chinese drones exported to the US were mainly used for civilian purposes, including agriculture, equipment inspections and the film and entertainment industries, He added.

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on August 13 imposing a 100 per cent tariff on drones weighing more than 25kg (55.1lbs), as well as those equipped with thermal-imaging technology and models containing certain critical components.