The Trump administration has imposed a 100% tariff on foreign-made drones, including those with thermal imaging and weighing over 55 pounds, from Thursday. Critics warn this could devastate US businesses and public safety, citing the dominance of Chinese drone manufacturer DJI in the market. Thermo drones, crucial for law enforcement and rescue operations, could become unaffordable for many communities. The FCC is also considering reclassifying common drone technologies as 'military grade,' potentially restricting access to non-military drones.

President Trump argues that these tariffs will bolster US national security by reducing reliance on Chinese drones and boosting domestic production. However, critics point out that a single company, Shenzhen-based DJI, manufactures over 70% of the world’s commercial drones. This means that the US could be left with a shortage of essential tools for public safety and law enforcement.

Scott Mlakar, chief of a large unit comprising police officers and firefighters in the Cleveland area, fears that the tariffs will spike drone costs, making thermal drones unaffordable for communities that need them most. He argues that these drones are essential for finding missing people, tracking wildfires, and supporting police and rescue operations in hazardous environments.

Meanwhile, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering reclassifying a range of common drone technologies as 'military grade,' a move that could severely restrict access to numerous drones that serve no military purpose and pose no threat to national security. This could limit the use of drones in various industries, including agriculture, real estate, and film production, despite the fact that they are not a security risk.