Last week, the Trump administration unveiled updated bans that target imports of new Chinese robots and power inverters. The goal of this ban is to protect the U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) buildout from national ​security threats and reshore key industries slated for explosive growth, Reuters reported.

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) ban on foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters, includes more than mobile robots, such as humanoids and quadrupeds. PC Mag also reported the ban includes robot vacuums and robot lawn mowers. The FCC defines advanced robotic devices as a “mechanical mobile device, including autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robots, and quadrupeds, that:

• Is capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, or movement on the ground.
• Operates at a distance from a human operator or supervisor based on commands or in response to sensor data or any combination thereof.
• The combined weight of the device and, if applicable, ground station or docking station is over 4.4 pounds.
• Contains a component falling within each of the below [features]:
  • A sensor capable of perceiving its environment.
  • A component that is capable of providing network connectivity (wired or wireless, including Bluetooth/WiFi, cellular, or satellite) with connection speeds of at least 200 kilobits per second in either direction.
  • Software running either locally or remotely, including firmware and AI or machine-learning model weights, that controls the robot’s autonomous navigation or movement perception, data collection, or remote command-and-control.”

The FCC only explicitly excludes drones, connected vehicles, unmanned underwater craft, along with robot arms and assistive devices from the ban.

However, the ban does not affect any previously purchased devices or existing products that have already received FCC equipment authorization for sale in the U.S. PC Mag reported a separate FCC order also indicates that any existing robot vacuums already authorized “may continue to receive software and firmware updates that mitigate harm to US consumers at least until Jan. 1, 2029.” 

Still, the ban threatens to block any new Chinese robot vacuums from reaching the U.S. Through the FCC, a company can apply to receive an exemption from the ban. But it’ll be up to the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security to sign off on the exemption, and it’s unclear whether the Trump administration is willing to do so. The White House has enforced similar bans on foreign-made drones and Wi-Fi routers, and so far, no exemption has been granted to a major Chinese vendor.

SC Johnson, the maker of household brands such as Windex®, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day® and method®, released its Better World Accountability Report, detailing progress toward its commitments to create a better world.

“Our Better World Accountability Report reflects the commitment of SC Johnson people and partners around the world. I’m encouraged by the progress we’ve made to reduce our plastic impact and carbon footprint, fight insect-borne disease, and support families and communities,” said Fisk Johnson, SC Johnson chairman and CEO. “There’s significant work ahead, but we’ll keep at it, working with our partners to help make the world a better place for future generations.”

Highlights from the 2025 report include:

• Achieved key plastic milestones—reaching 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic use across packaging and a 33% reduction in virgin plastic use, versus 2018 baseline—­as reported in the 2025 Global Commitment Progress Report.
• Cut total plastic packaging footprint by 15%, including a 69% reduction in flexible packaging.
• Increased the share of plastic packaging that is reusable or recyclable to 64%.
• Secured a World Health Organization (WHO) policy recommendation supporting the use of spatial repellents for vector control, including SC Johnson Guardian™ and SC Johnson Mosquito Shield™, one of the first new categories of malaria prevention tools recommended in 25 years.
• Opened two high-speed manufacturing lines at its Nairobi, Kenya facility, producing up to 20 million units annually of SC Johnson Guardian™ spatial repellent.
• Expanded health access with 84 rural clinics across Rwanda, Tanzania, Indonesia, and South Sudan, and reached more than 2 million families through education campaigns.
• Reduced company-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 72% compared to the 2000 baseline, surpassing the 70% goal.
• Achieved zero manufacturing waste to landfill across all SC Johnson manufacturing sites.
• Donated more than 2.3 million products to help communities and individuals in need, such as those facing outbreaks of insect-borne diseases or working to clean up following natural disasters.
• Helped more than 7.4 million people worldwide through philanthropic initiatives, supporting organizations working to reduce hunger and improve nutrition.
• Supported 750 organizations like Teach for Malaysia, Scientists in School, and the Mexican Red Cross, continuing SC Johnson’s 88-year legacy of donating 5% of pretax profits to charity annually.