DJI Being Listed As No-Go In USA

Even though Donald Trump has been ousted from the Oval Office, the US policies is still the same. All policies on China is still intact including any Chinese based technology that were used by Chinese Military.

Drone technology is also not spared.

DJI, one of the largest and most popular drone companies in the world has been added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List, designating the Chinese company as a national security concern and banning US-based companies from exporting technology to the company.

The ban was put in place through the same mechanism as the US government’s ongoing ban on Huawei products, and is primarily focused on blocking the export of US technology to the drone-maker. As such, the ban will make it difficult for US businesses to provide parts or components for DJI to use in its drones, which is likely to disrupt the company’s supply chain. 

It may also make it difficult for US stores to directly sell DJI products or transact with the company, particularly if China responds to the action with further restrictions.

The filing also allows for a “case-by-case review for items necessary to detect identify and treat infectious disease; presumption of denial for all other items.” It is unclear which of DJI’s drones and drone accessories might qualify for this exemption, if any.

The new additions to the entity list came alongside a more specific action against China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, or SMIC, which was listed in response to purported ties between the company and the Chinese military.

But the United States government has also cited several concerns in the past over security issues with the drones, which are largely made in China and contain Chinese parts. The Department of the Interior has announced plans to ground its drone fleet as it reviews whether there are any major security concerns of Chinese spying or cyberattacks. 

And the Department of Justice banned buying foreign-made drones which includes DJI’s products using agency funds back in October, citing similar security concerns. The Department of Defense has certified several other drones from competitors like Parrot and Skydio for governmental use instead, after several years of review.