Lewzer slaps new tariffs on drones

Thursday, August 13, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will impose tariffs on imports of drones and their components, including from some key U.S. allies, with the Trump administration saying the country was "too reliant" on foreign sources of drones. A proclamation signed by Trump imposes a 100% ad valorem tariff on drones of a certain size or with certain capabilities that are particularly sensitive for national security purposes, the White House said, adding that a tariff of 25% will be imposed on drones that are smaller in size.

Posted by REDIAL at 09:49 PM | 7 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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A 15% tariff will be imposed on drones and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan, and a 10% ad valorem tariff will be imposed on drones from the UK, the White House added.

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... the country was "too reliant" on foreign sources of drones. ...

I may not disagree.

But, are tariffs the way to solve that apparent problem?

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-08-13 10:38 PM | Reply

Hampering drone development is on pace with reverting to 1950's technology on new aircraft carriers.

#2 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-08-13 10:53 PM | Reply

The Trump Crime Family musta just gotten bribed, er, I mean 'invested' in a US drone maker.

#3 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-13 11:12 PM | Reply

Uday and Quasy are heavily invested in drone companies.

#4 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-08-13 11:30 PM | Reply

But, are tariffs the way to solve that apparent problem?

#1 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER

Yes its a way to spur investment internally from the tariffs. Without the tariffs, new drone startups or ideas would make the VS hesitant to invest.

Its strange drones have been around for 16+years. I am surprised the US is so far behind the curve, commercially and militarily.

The Trump Crime Family musta just gotten bribed, er, I mean 'invested' in a US drone maker.

Its odd when people say this, if you're so confident in this then why wouldn't you invest in a drone maker?

Hampering drone development is on pace with reverting to 1950's technology on new aircraft carriers.
#2 | POSTED BY REDIAL

If it hampers RoW its a good tactic.

#5 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-08-13 11:34 PM | Reply

Will never figure out how America is supposed to work... also how to tie his shoelaces is problematic for him.

One supposes that coming from China where Government Corruption is Job One makes it difficult to grok what honest Government might look like.

#6 | Posted by Corky at 2026-08-13 11:45 PM | Reply

how America is supposed to work

In this case, it works like this:

1) Pentagon buys a bunch of drone stuff and has to pay a zillion dollars in tariffs to the US Treasury.

2) Pentagon goes to Congress for money recoup the cost of the tariffs.

3) Congress takes a zillion dollars out of the Treasury and gives it back to the Pentagon.

#7 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-08-14 12:10 AM | Reply