In a move against Chinese tech influence in the U.S. drone market, the House of Representatives passed the Countering CCP Drones Act, a bill introduced by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik that aims to limit the presence of DJI drones in U.S. airspace. The legislation, which passed with unanimous bipartisan backing, adds DJI to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Covered List, effectively prohibiting new models of DJI drones from accessing U.S. communications infrastructure.
The bill marks a continuation of growing concerns within the U.S. government over DJI's dominance in the drone market and its alleged ties to the Chinese government. "For years, the U.S. government has known that DJI presents unacceptable economic and national security risks, but no one was willing to take the necessary steps to remove Communist Chinese spy drones from our skies. That changed today," said Rep. Stefanik in a statement following the bill’s passage.
DJI Under Increasing Scrutiny
DJI, one of the world’s largest drone manufacturers, has faced mounting pressure from various U.S. government agencies and lawmakers, who argue that its technology could be leveraged by the Chinese government for surveillance purposes. According to a 2017 Intelligence Bulletin from a Department of Homeland Security Field Office, DJI allegedly provided sensitive U.S. data to China, a claim the company has consistently denied.
Despite these denials, multiple branches of the U.S. government have enacted policies restricting the use of DJI drones. In 2020, Congress prohibited the Department of Defense from purchasing Chinese-made drones, and in 2021, the Department of Defense categorized DJI as a national security threat. These measures were followed by a series of actions, including DJI’s addition to the Department of Commerce’s Entity List and the Department of the Treasury’s Chinese Military-Industrial Complex companies list.
A Push for Domestic Drone Industry
Stefanik's Countering CCP Drones Act is part of a broader initiative to build up the U.S. drone manufacturing industry. "It is strategically irresponsible to allow Communist China to be our drone factory," she noted, calling for a stronger domestic industrial base to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers like DJI. The bill now moves to the Senate, where Stefanik hopes it will be included in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
In addition to targeting DJI, Stefanik has spearheaded several other legislative efforts aimed at reducing the influence of Chinese drone manufacturers. Her Drones for First Responders Act, introduced in May 2024, proposes a tariff on Chinese-made drones and a grant program to support first responders and infrastructure providers in purchasing secure alternatives.
The Road Ahead
While the House’s passage of the Countering CCP Drones Act reflects growing concerns over national security risks associated with Chinese tech, the Senate’s approval will be critical in determining the bill's final impact. If passed, this legislation could significantly reshape the U.S. drone market by curbing DJI's dominant position and opening the door for American drone manufacturers to expand their market share.
For DJI, the future remains uncertain as the company continues to face legal challenges and mounting scrutiny from U.S. authorities. For now, the U.S. government appears poised to further isolate the company, with lawmakers like Stefanik leading the charge in curbing Chinese tech influence in critical infrastructure.
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