Drone manufacturers’ shares rose after US President Donald Trump announced the introduction of import tariffs on drones and their components. According to CNBC, Unusual Machines shares rose by 10%, and Red Cat – by about 5%. AeroVironment and Kratos shares also rose. This is reported by UA.NEWS, according to the PromPolitInform portal.
According to the directive, large drones with sensitive military capabilities, including thermal imaging systems, will be subject to a 100% tariff. Smaller drones without such capabilities will be subject to a 25% tariff. Drones and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan will be subject to a 15% tariff, and goods from the United Kingdom – 10%.
The White House said that drone production in the United States must be rapidly expanded to ensure national and economic security. It also noted that transferring component production abroad creates significant risks to security and cybersecurity. According to the White House, the tariffs should contribute to job creation and protect national security and the defense industrial base.
The US administration seeks to increase domestic production of drones and reduce dependence on foreign parts, primarily from China, which has long dominated the drone market. The tariffs are to take effect within 21 days. For drones and components that are not classified as particularly sensitive, their implementation is postponed by 180 days.
The directive also allows the US Department of Commerce to launch a program for companies planning to invest in drone production in the country. Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched the Drone Dominance program worth more than $ 1 billion to expand the production of small, low-cost drones in the United States. The second phase of the program is scheduled to begin this month.
