Comprehensive ban on Chinese humanoid robots—what is the U.S. afraid of?

(Source: Computer News Youth Edition)

As spring 2026 approaches, a covert battle over humanoid robots is intensifying on both sides of the Pacific. On March 17, an intriguing scene unfolded at a U.S. congressional hearing: executives from American tech companies like Scale AI and Boston Dynamics collectively expressed their concerns, warning that the rapid advancements of Chinese humanoid robots pose a “national security risk” and urging the government to implement comprehensive bans. Almost simultaneously, German Chancellor Merz led executives from 30 top companies to visit Chinese company Yushutech, where they eagerly interacted with robots and took photos.

Anxiety at the Hearing

During the March 17 hearing of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, the testimonies from American tech executives were filled with urgency, even tinged with a sense of panic.

Max Finkel, head of global policy and government relations at Scale AI, specifically called out Yushutech. He mentioned that the martial arts moves performed by Yushutech’s robot during the 2026 Chinese New Year’s Gala—such as backflips and trampoline jumps—shocked the American tech community. “This video went viral, not because it was stunning in itself, but because when people compared it to a year ago, they realized: back then, similar robots struggled to finish a dance routine,” Finkel lamented. “But this year, they are already performing karate. This is the speed of competition… to win, the government needs to take comprehensive action.”

This “one-year transformation” in technological evolution caught Silicon Valley executives, accustomed to “American leadership,” off guard. Matthew Marcolini, vice president of software at Boston Dynamics, also mentioned at the hearing that the number of Chinese companies showcasing humanoid robots at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas was five times that of American companies. This stark contrast in exhibition scale became a footnote to the anxiety in the American industry.

Rush Doshi, director of the “China Strategy Initiative” at the Council on Foreign Relations, acknowledged in written testimony that in the field of robotics, U.S. industrial policy “is crucial for ensuring the capacity to manufacture robots on a large scale.” Michael Robbins, president of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, urged Congress to “pass a coordinated national robotics strategy” to respond to China’s market dominance.

The “Ice and Fire” Dichotomy Behind Market Data

The anxiety within the American tech community is not unfounded. The global humanoid robot shipment data for 2025 clearly outlines the stark contrast between the U.S. and China.

According to a report by market research firm Omdia titled “2024-2025 Global Humanoid Robot Shipment Rankings,” global humanoid robot deliveries are projected to soar from 3,000 units in 2024 to 18,000 units in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 437%. Chinese companies dominate the list: Zhiyuan Innovation ranks first globally with approximately 5,168 units shipped (market share about 39%), followed by Yushutech with around 4,200 units (market share about 32%), and Ubtech with about 1,000 units. The combined shipment of these three Chinese companies exceeds 10,000 units, capturing nearly half of the global market.

In stark contrast, the proudly American Tesla “Optimus” robot delivered only 150 units during the same period. Although Boston Dynamics has deep technical reserves, it has long relied on military funding, making it difficult to achieve market viability. Agility Robotics, despite launching a factory in 2023, still produces far fewer units than Chinese companies.

At the beginning of 2026, the U.S. robotics industry faced a downturn. Cartwright Robotics was forced to shut down due to depleted financing, and K-Scale Labs disbanded in its second year due to supply chain issues. French company Aldebaran officially went bankrupt in February 2025, Rethink Robotics faced a second bankruptcy, and iRobot filed for bankruptcy protection. The U.S. robotics industry is presenting an awkward situation of “impressive technology, yet difficult mass production.”

IDC statistics show that approximately 18,000 humanoid robots will be shipped globally in 2025, with China accounting for nearly 80%. Nikhil Chaudhary, an American venture capital partner, candidly stated: “China has the advantage in large-scale production. To achieve mass production, China is an unavoidable presence.”

Why is the U.S. so anxious?

The U.S. stance of “banning” Chinese humanoid robots ostensibly stems from “national security” considerations, but it conceals two deeper strategic anxieties.

American corporate executives are well aware that the true shortcoming of U.S. humanoid robots is not the “brain” (AI algorithms), but the “body” (hardware manufacturing). Morgan Stanley analysts pointed out in a report last year that if Tesla wants to price the “Optimus” robot below $20,000, relying on Chinese components is essential. Humanoid robots might end up being “designed in California, made in China,” and even in the best cases, they would only be “assembled in the U.S.”

The hollowing out of American manufacturing has made it highly dependent on China for the robotics hardware supply chain. From rare earth refining to joint motors, from harmonic reducers to ball screws, core component suppliers are almost entirely concentrated in China and Japan. This structural dependency puts the U.S. at a passive disadvantage in competition with China.

What further heightens America’s anxiety is the ability of Chinese companies to “democratize” the prices of high-end robots. Yushutech’s robot dog is priced at only 2% of Boston Dynamics’ offering, while capturing nearly 70% of the global market. This “price revolution” is not due to cutting corners, but a natural result of China’s complete industrial chain—from motors and reducers to sensors—allowing new technologies to be implemented at the lowest cost and fastest speed.

Nikhil Chaudhary, co-founder of Neumann Risk Capital, pointed out that American robotics companies have to rely on components produced in Germany, Japan, South Korea, and especially China. This means that even if the U.S. successfully blocks Chinese companies, its domestic robotics industry would still struggle to operate independently.

The Atlantic Rift: Why Did Germany Choose to “Embrace”?

The U.S. ban on Chinese humanoid robots has not garnered unanimous support from its traditional allies. On February 26, German Chancellor Merz led executives from 30 top companies to visit Yushutech, where they watched a performance of “Wu BOT,” akin to the Chinese New Year’s Gala. This moment was referred to by the media as “Yushutech’s Moment Under the Great Power Rift.”

Germany’s choice to “embrace” rather than “ban” is driven by pragmatic considerations as it grapples with its “Industrial 404” dilemma. In 2023, Germany’s GDP shrank by 0.3%, projected to decline again by 0.2% in 2024, with industrial output decreasing for four consecutive years and over 70,000 job losses in the auto industry. As U.S. tariff threats fluctuated, Germany’s direct investment in the U.S. halved by 45%. Germany discovered that in 2025, trade between China and Germany reached 251.8 billion euros, growing 2.1% against the trend, with China becoming Germany’s largest trading partner.

For Germany, which is deeply mired in an energy crisis and industrial transformation challenges, the “low-cost, high-performance” solutions offered by Chinese robotics companies are a lifeline for reducing costs and increasing efficiency in its manufacturing sector. Germany’s only humanoid robot company, Neura Robotics, has planned to establish its Chinese headquarters in Hangzhou. When the venerable industrial power of Germany travels thousands of miles to see how it is being surpassed by “master craftsmen,” the answer is already clear.