【By Observer Net, Wang Yi】One month has passed since U.S. President Trump signed several executive orders to push for "U.S. drones not dependent on foreign manufacturing," and the U.S. industry has begun to realize that Trump's move is nothing short of a daydream.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on July 6 that U.S. companies are angry about the "disturbing" potential consequences of implementing Trump's executive orders, and industry insiders and analysts also stated that China's leading position in the global drone market makes it difficult for the U.S. to exclude China from the supply chain, at least for now.

On June 6 local time, Trump signed several executive orders, vowing to cut regulations to "build a strong and secure domestic drone industry," while requiring U.S. government agencies to prioritize the use of domestic drone systems within the maximum extent allowed by law. The executive orders also instructed the Department of Commerce to conduct an investigation to "ensure that the U.S. drone supply chain is free from foreign control or exploitation."

This is not the first time the U.S. government has attempted to revitalize its drone industry by suppressing Chinese companies. In 2017, the U.S. placed Chinese drone manufacturer DJI on a sanctions list, falsely claiming that it "may likely provide data on U.S. critical infrastructure and law enforcement to the Chinese government." In 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives included a so-called "Counter-China Drone Act" in the 2025 Fiscal Year Defense Authorization Act, further restricting Chinese drones.

Despite this, Chinese companies remain the leaders in the global drone industry. According to data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, DJI drones hold a 90% share in the U.S. commercial market. It is expected that this proportion will be difficult to challenge in the short term as demand for drones increases in agriculture, construction, maritime, and industrial sectors.

A U.S. farmer uses a DJI drone for sowing. Associated Press

"There are only six non-Chinese companies producing drones globally. I guess the ban would increase costs, which is basic economics," said Paul Nielsen, Executive Director of Proxim, during an interview with the South China Morning Post at the Paris Air Show. He believes Trump's executive orders are a negotiation strategy, but he is angry about the "disturbing" prospects of enforcing the order.

The report states that Proxim, headquartered in Pennsylvania, purchases drones and modifies them for various inspections. Both Proxim and its parent company Near Earth Autonomy are trying to explore the commercial drone market, but Trump's ban may become an obstacle to their development.

Wang Yiming, Director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University, stated that the U.S. always "imagines" that Chinese-made drones could threaten U.S. security, but the U.S. "cannot reach China's production level in a short time." If Chinese drones are banned, U.S. companies may have to rely on smuggling or other means to obtain drones and their components, ultimately resulting in higher costs for American consumers.

MIC analyst Ko Zong-yuan believes that a complete ban on Chinese drones is just "a matter of time," but he also agrees that no other companies can offer the same cost-effectiveness as Chinese companies.

"From the current trends, there seems to be no company that can significantly threaten DJI's leadership in the short term," Ko Zong-yuan said. "Whether it's Skydio in the U.S. or Parrot in France, they still need time and innovation to break through the moat built by DJI."

U.S. officials also admitted at a Senate hearing in 2022 that Chinese companies dominated the market, making it difficult for the U.S. to get rid of Chinese technology. At that time, agencies such as the FBI were using DJI drones.

A U.S. soldier using a DJI drone. U.S. military photo

Even more, China's advantages cover the entire drone supply chain. Data from the market research company Drone Industry Insights show that even drone companies outside of China depend on Chinese companies for some components that they cannot obtain elsewhere.

Donald Djobo, Vice President of U.S. drone manufacturer Aerostar Dynamics, also stated that they purchase many components from Chinese partners, saying, "In this world, no one can survive without others," and "no company can do business independently and achieve sustainable development."

A marketing officer from another U.S. company, Zephyr Drone Simulator, which focuses on using drones for training programs, also pointed out that most of their customers in public safety agencies use DJI drones. No U.S. company can produce as many drones as DJI, and some products labeled as "made in the U.S." are actually produced by Chinese companies.

The officer expressed concern, saying, "If DJI is banned, it would be a problem for all U.S. public safety agencies."

This article is an exclusive piece from Observer Net. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523856073346843171/

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