Chinese drone maker DJI has said it can’t get find anyone in the US government willing to talk about how to avoid an upcoming 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) comes into place 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 it fails an audit, DJI products will be added to the FCC Covered List, and then banned from import and sale in the US.
It will mean 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 complete by December 23 to avoid a ban.
Welsh says he spent almost two weeks in Washington in July trying to be seen by the relevant authorities, but he says he was told by officials that those meetings wouldn’t happen.
Bloomberg spoke to multiple government officials who all confirmed they wouldn’t be willing to meet with DJI. Florida’s Republican Senator, Rick Scott, said he wouldn’t speak to the brand as the Chinese government wants to spy on US citizens.
Recommended by Our Editors
Elsewhere in the world, DJI launched its first ever 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.
The brand has been expanding outside of drones in recent years with new products, such as its popular gimbals. DJI has confirmed 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.
Get Our Best Stories!
Your Daily Dose of Our Top Tech News
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
About James Peckham
Reporter
