US Blacklists DJI, Bans Exports of US Tech to Drone Maker

Reuters reported this morning that drone market dominator DJI has been added to the ‘Entity List’ by the US Department of Commerce, which effectively labels the Chinese drone-maker a ‘national security concern’.  Effective immediatley US companies are prohibited from exporting technology to DJI.

Several other Chinese companies were also added to the list, published today, including China chip-maker SMIC and 75 other companies. The full list can be downloaded from the Dept. of Commerce website here.

DJI’s consumer drones such as the recently released Mavic Air 2 and Mini 2 are among the most popular recreational products with Americans. How this impacts DJI’s sales in the USA has yet to be determined.

This action by Trump’s Commerce dept. could be one of the last as the country moves to transition to the new Biden-Harris administration. Trade relations are expected to experience a thaw under a Democratic White House.

Stay tuned for DJI’s response to this action, which should be released shortly.