HONG KONG - The Federal Communications Commission announced Tuesday that it would prohibit imports of humanoid robots made overseas in an action directed at China, citing risks to national security.

This choice may affect ties between the nations as their technology competition intensifies. China produces far more humanoid robots than the United States or rivals, with analysts putting Chinese firms share of the worldwide market at about 85 percent.

The FCC prohibition covers fresh imports of humanoid robots, four-legged robot dogs known as quadrupeds, plus overseas power inverters.

The FCC explained that these sophisticated robots from abroad create weaknesses in U.S. supply chains along with cybersecurity and national security threats.

FCC chairperson Brendan Carr stated the action aims to protect critical American supply chains.

The United States continues efforts to exclude Chinese technology through recent import bans such as those on Chinese drones. Officials are also considering limits on Chinese open-source artificial intelligence models while Chinese AI advances quickly.

It forms a consistent series of possible flashpoints before the Trump-Xi summit set for September, noted Samm Sacks, a senior fellow at the New America think tank specializing in Chinese technology policies. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in September after their mid-May talks in Beijing.

China represented roughly 85 percent of global humanoid deployments last year per Barclays. Morgan Stanley experts project the Chinese humanoid robot market may hit 15 billion dollars by 2030.

Chinese producers have expanded output and cut costs quicker than most foreign rivals, observed analyst Kangyuxiao Li at Morningstar.