China launches innovation task program targeting AI, robotics and key tech for future industries

• The United States has enacted a comprehensive ban on new imports of foreign‑made humanoid robots, with the Trump administration citing national‑security risks and concerns that Chinese robots could gather sensitive data and supply it back to Beijing.
• The ban, announced on July 28, 2026, also covers four‑legged robots and foreign power inverters used in data centres, reflecting fears that such components could undermine U.S.
• In the wake of the ban, Chinese robot makers—particularly Unitree, which has partnered with Nvidia to use the Blackwell chip—are preparing to go public, while other firms like UBTech, AgiBot, Leju Robotics, and DEEP Robotics have filed for listings on Hong Kong and mainland exchanges.
• Meanwhile, the industry’s rapid pace continues: a Chinese humanoid robot won a Beijing half‑marathon in early 2026, and the World AI Conference in Shanghai showcased a fleet of Chinese humanoid robots, underscoring the country’s dominant 85 % share of the global market.
• U.S. investors are taking notice; Morgan Stanley and Barclays have projected that the humanoid sector could reach $5 trillion by 2050 and $200 billion by 2035, with Hightower’s chief strategist encouraging clients to explore opportunities, especially as Amazon’s 2025 shareholder letter hinted at the company’s deployment of a million robots.

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