America's tariff increase is coming? Now, its aftermath is surging again - and this time, it's not steel or soybeans that are being affected, but DJI drones, which we all know.

In early April, the US announced a 34% tariff on various Chinese products including DJI, immediately causing the price of the world's largest civilian drone brand in the US to "soar" sky-high: The Mavic 3 Pro, originally priced at 13,888 RMB, skyrocketed to 18,500 RMB, with an increase as high as 33%!

While prices were skyrocketing, on the other side? A sudden influx of "unopened Hong Kong versions" of DJI Mavic 3 Pro appeared in New York's electronics markets, priced at only 14,500 RMB, and they could even be bargained down. Compared to the official website price, it was directly 21% cheaper. It was like seeing Nike sneakers priced at 9,999 yuan on the counter but finding the same model for 599 yuan on Taobao second-hand market.

Even more interestingly, how did these "Hong Kong versions" of DJI get there? According to insider industry sources, large quantities of DJI drones are being smuggled into the US through the "low-altitude economic channel" along the Mexican border. No joke, there’s proof: A modified DJI Matrice 4 drone can carry 30 Mini 3 Pro units simultaneously, flying at an altitude of 50 meters to avoid radar detection. Does this not resemble a real-life version of an "air smuggling team"? This doesn't require big trucks or ships; they use their own "family members" to transport "brother models."

Seeing this, someone might ask: Isn't the US supposed to be dealing with "national security"? How can such things still happen? Here's the key point - when economic interests collide with so-called "security concerns," policies often become surprisingly flexible.

A Price War Has Spawned an "Underground Gray Market"

From a pricing perspective, American consumers have been effectively "bled dry." On the official US website, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is priced at $4,799 (approximately 34,190 RMB), while in Canada, it's just **$3,815**, and discounted! Not to mention those smuggled in from Mexico, which are directly taking advantage of policy loopholes. No one expected that America's "industrial protection policies" would instead accelerate the growth of the gray market.

Who benefits from this? First, of course, are the "scalpers," who specialize in purchasing goods from Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Mexico, and other places, exploiting the high price difference to make big profits in the US; second, are the American households who have long been accustomed to "unreliable policies," preferring to seek out "reliable scalpers" through WeChat groups, friend circles, or even anonymous Telegram chat groups.

The result is: When the US cuts off supplies, its consumers bleed, dealers go bankrupt, scalpers profit, and the gray market prospers.

Why Has DJI Become a "Hard Currency"?

You might wonder why DJI has become the "focus." Apple and Xiaomi are also being taxed, right? The key point is that DJI's position in the US is somewhat special. It's not a luxury item, but it's "higher-end" than ordinary electronics; it's not a necessity, but in industries such as imaging, agricultural surveying, infrastructure, and police security, it's an irreplaceable existence. In other words, it's a "luxury necessity for middle-class and above households."

Adding to this, there is no drone brand in the US that can truly rival DJI (just like how hard it would be to find an Apple competitor in China). This has made DJI the "only choice" in the market.

Data shows that by the end of 2023, DJI still holds over 70% of the civilian drone market share in the US, and globally, it approaches 80%. That's why, instead of replacing DJI, tariffs have actually created a "black market alternative."

Mexico's "Low-Altitude Passage" Is No Joke

Believe it or not, the US's "low-altitude economy" was barely announced before being turned into a "smuggling passage" by scalpers. The original idea was to develop drone logistics and low-altitude transportation, but it was quickly hijacked by the gray market.

According to local Mexican reports, some organizations known as "UAV smuggling fleets" have already been delivering more than 100 drones across the border weekly. The flight path from Tijuana to San Diego takes only 20 minutes, completely avoiding customs and radar, like "air express delivery." They use high-powered drones, flying at night and even equipped with jammers and virtual GPS positioning, operating at a 007 level.

US media has reported multiple incidents of drones being "shot down" or "crashing" at the border, but there has yet to be an official report clearly assigning responsibility. This further confirms one thing: Not only does the government turn a blind eye, but the crackdown efforts are also symbolic.

The US Intended to Suppress DJI, But Instead Woke Up the "Global Scalpers"

This is not the first time such a "policy backlash" has occurred. Previously, the US attempted to suppress TikTok, resulting in ByteDance launching CapCut and Lemon8 globally, now used by teenagers in Europe; earlier still, the US sanctions against Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) led Huawei to develop its own "Kirin chip" and launch a chip replacement plan.

This time DJI has been targeted, indicating one thing: Any Chinese tech company that emerges will inevitably face "politicization."

The problem is, **technology is neutral, demand is real, and the gray market is a product of price signals.** Suppression cannot solve problems; it will only force the market to take another route, possibly even becoming more "wild."

Imagine, could this smuggling drone model be replicated onto chips, phones, or electric vehicle components? Once this model is established, the global gray market chain may be far more rampant than we currently imagine.

Final Thoughts:

At the end of the day, America's tariff increase on Chinese drones is essentially a political show. However, DJI's presence in the US market has far exceeded that of a mere brand; it has become a "reality test field": when technology and the market are on one side, and policy is on the other, who ultimately wins?

What do you think about this "low-altitude passage"? Do you see it as a counterattack against trade wars or a new form of industrial chaos? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below, and let's discuss in the comment section.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493197721496044067/

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