The U.S. Department of Commerce has launched new investigations into whether certain imports—including drones and critical solar materials—pose national security risks. The actions could pave the way for additional tariffs, import restrictions, or other regulatory measures under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
The investigations, announced earlier this month, target two sectors: unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and polysilicon, a foundational material for both solar panel manufacturing and semiconductor production. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), which is leading the inquiry, will assess whether reliance on foreign suppliers for these technologies undermines U.S. national interests.
A focal point of the investigation is the overwhelming market share held by Chinese drone manufacturers in the U.S. commercial drone space. DJI, headquartered in Shenzhen, continues to dominate sales, with more than half of all commercial drones in the U.S. originating from the company.
Federal lawmakers and security agencies have long expressed concern over the data security and supply chain implications of foreign-made drones, especially those used in critical infrastructure monitoring. The investigation adds momentum to prior legislative efforts—including a 2024 law signed by President Biden—designed to phase out Chinese-manufactured UAS from sensitive operations.
These developments arrive at a time when drones have become indispensable tools for American utility companies. Energy providers like PG&E and NYSEG now routinely deploy drones to inspect transmission lines, monitor wildfire risk, and assess grid infrastructure—often in place of more time-consuming or dangerous methods.
Last month, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at accelerating domestic drone manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The Section 232 review could further bolster these efforts by introducing economic barriers to imported drone components.
Alongside drones, the investigation will examine imports of polysilicon—a material essential to both the solar energy and microelectronics industries. China currently controls over 90% of the global market for high-purity, solar-grade polysilicon. While tariffs are already in place on many of these imports under Section 301, the new probe could lead to further trade restrictions.
The American polysilicon manufacturing base has diminished in recent years, with only a handful of facilities still operational. Hemlock Semiconductor, majority-owned by Corning, is now the sole U.S.-owned producer of hyper-pure polysilicon for the semiconductor sector.
Concerns over forced labor in China’s polysilicon supply chain have also driven U.S. enforcement actions. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), enacted in 2021, bars imports tied to Xinjiang-based producers unless companies can prove the materials were not made using forced labor. Since enforcement began in 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has detained over 11,000 shipments worth nearly $4 billion for further investigation.
The Commerce Department’s new investigations are part of a broader series of national security reviews initiated since the start of 2025. These have included inquiries into copper, timber, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, trucks, and commercial aircraft.
While the drone investigation centers on national security risks, it also carries significant implications for energy, law enforcement, and infrastructure sectors that increasingly rely on unmanned systems. If new duties or restrictions are imposed, it could shift procurement strategies across the U.S. market—potentially accelerating investment in domestic drone technologies and reinforcing the need for resilient, secure airspace operations.
AirSight will continue monitoring developments that impact the commercial drone ecosystem and the broader landscape of national airspace security.