(Credit: Jim Fisher)
Chinese drone maker DJI has said it can’t find anyone in the US government willing to discuss how to avoid a ban on its products.
Speaking to Bloomberg, DJI says it has been trying to contact US authorities to discuss a necessary audit of its business before the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) takes effect at the end of 2025. So far, the brand's questions have gone unanswered.
Adam Welsh, DJI’s head of global policy, told Bloomberg, “We’ve been through the meat grinder on this issue, and we’re happy to put ourselves through the meat grinder again. We’d love to get to the point where we could actually have a conversation.”
The NDAA requires DJI to have an audit of its business conducted by an "appropriate national security agency." If it fails to do so or fails an audit, DJI products will be added to the FCC Covered List and then banned from import and sale in the US.
This means no new DJI products can be introduced in the US, and existing products may not be able to receive software updates. The audit needs to be completed by Dec. 23 to avoid a ban.
In June, President Trump signed two executive orders aimed at boosting the US drone industry and shoring up protections against malicious drone activity. They stopped short of ordering a full ban on Chinese-made drones, but one of them calls on the Federal Acquisition Security Council to "publish a Covered Foreign Entity List…identifying companies that pose supply chain risks." So, DJI (and Autel) could end up on that list. Or the US can just run out the clock.
Welsh says he spent almost two weeks in Washington, DC, in July trying to be seen by the relevant authorities. The "Congressional China hawks," however, told Bloomberg the meetings would never happen. That includes Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who said he wouldn’t speak to DJI because the Chinese government wants to spy on US citizens.
Elsewhere in the world, DJI launched its first robot vacuum earlier this week under a subsidiary brand called Romo. There are three launch models of the vacuum, which is the company’s first expansion into smart home products.
In recent years, the brand has been expanding beyond drones with new products, such as its popular gimbals. DJI has confirmed that availability for its Romo series in international markets will be announced later this year. With the looming ban on DJI drones, it’s unlikely we’ll see the Romo make its way to US stores.