Likelihood of Chinese drone ban increases

[MS Coast]

Donald Trump, JR. has joined the board of Unusual Machines, a US drone manufacturer. He owns 331.850 shares. The share price has more than tripled since the announcement. Given the family connection, I think we can expect more pressure to enact a ban on Chinese drone imports.

“The need for drones is obvious. It is also obvious that we must stop buying Chinese drones and Chinese drone parts,” Trump Jr. said. “I love what Unusual Machines is doing to bring drone manufacturing jobs back to the USA and am excited to take on a bigger role in the movement.”

Drone company's stock soars after it appoints Donald Trump Jr. to advisory board

Orlando-based Unusual Machines said it relies on Chinese imports and warned of potential impacts from Trump tariffs.

www.nbcnews.com

UMAC's web page looks like a new startup's. There's absolutely no mention of actual products, but the stock price is right at the top and uses the largest type font on the entire page. And it's quite odd that the summary displayed on search engines is in Spanish.

Home - Unusual Machines

Esta é uma página de exemplo. É diferente de um post no blog porque ela permanecerá em um lugar e aparecerá na navegação do seu site na maioria dos temas. Muitas pessoas começam com uma página que as apresenta a possíveis visitantes do site. Ela pode dizer algo assim: Olá! Eu sou um mensageiro...

www.unusualmachines.com

 

[msinger]

"In February 2024 we acquired FPV market leader Fat Shark, which designs and manufactures ultra-low latency video goggles for drone pilots, and Rotor Riot, a drone-focused e-commerce marketplace backed by one of the largest communities of FPV drone pilots in the world. In short, Fat Shark makes the drone components and Rotor Riot sells them."

Source: Unusual Drones Overview

Given the family connection, I think we can expect more pressure to enact a ban on Chinese drone imports

Neither of the companies they purchased are selling DJI-like drones. It looks like they are targeting a completely different audience.

They continue by stating:

"We will partner with leading drone manufactures to act as a supplier of drone components. This will let us expand our sales to businesses as well as consumers and fully leverage our drone industry expertise."

So, they only want to build and sell drone components? That sounds like an okay idea to me.

 

[mavic3usa]

Some discussion here already: Unusual Machines: Revolutionizing FPV Drone Tech

 

[Jim622]

DJI might want to consider building a manufacturing facility here in the USA.

 

[Phantomrain.org]

Its the exact opposite, trump may hit china with some extra tax , but it would be good for DJI to have some real competition other than Autel which barely scratches the drones today. I think DJI can take a breath now and continue on with the show.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly in the Rain, Land on the Water,

 

[Dave Pitman]

If a product isn't already made in America or there isn't a comparable alternative produced here, forcing Americans to rely exclusively on domestic products might not lead to greatness, and could create more challenges than benefits.

There in lies the issue. From their perspective, influenced by Skydio lobbying, there is domestic products that fits the bill. We here know that is not true. But the average person, or legislator does not understand that.

 

[msinger]

From their perspective, influenced by Skydio lobbying, there is domestic products that fits the bill

I'm not sure anyone believes that. Even someone who knows nothing about drones could easily see their offering is not comparable.

 

[Dave Pitman]

I'm not sure anyone believes that. Even someone who knows nothing about drones could easily see their offering is not comparable.

Perhaps if they researched, they would know. Most will not. The House of Reps is pushing hard for the CCP ban. When the Senate flips, the deal will be done.

 

[Dave Pitman]

Stefanik’s Countering CCP Drones Act Passes House

stefanik.house.gov

 

[msinger]

Perhaps if they researched, they would know. Most will not.

While they should, I’m not sure anyone is actually researching the facts you're highlighting. It seems more likely that this is being driven by a much more sinister agenda.

 

[msinger]

Stefanik’s Countering CCP Drones Act Passes House

stefanik.house.gov

First introduced in February 2022. And it's now nearing February 2025.

It shouldn't take over three years to pass legislation that people actually care to pass. Or maybe they really don't.

 

[Dave Pitman]

Or maybe they really don't.

Well, we don't. But the bill is still alive and has passed the House...Fact. The House keeps trying to add it to other legislation to get it through the Senate, which has until now, failed..Fact. I guess you can try and convince yourself that now that the same group that passed it in the House will not do the same thing in the Senate now that they will control that too. I think that is wishful thinking.

We will just have to wait and see at this point.

 

[mavic3usa]

Don't forget the people who support the American drone company will also point out the Chinese drone company is probably better but only because it has an [illegal] advantage having stolen a lot of American tech, receiving massive support and money from the CCP taking money away from the people, and lowering their prices to undercut the more expensive American drone by using forced labor....among other things. If you believe any of this, no one will embrace the Chinese drone under any circumstances. I don't have enough knowledge and background about DJI to accept or deny any of the accusations.

 

[MS Coast]

"It is also obvious that we must stop buying Chinese drones and Chinese drone parts."

Spoken by Donald Trump, Jr., son of the incoming President of the United States, and an advisor to a startup drone company in America, and who owns 318,850 shares of stock in that company. Given the family's enthusiasm for making money, I think there's a serious chance that Junior's thoughts and interests may influence Dad's actions.

Anyone care to order a t-shirt? "Ban Chinese Bibles, not Chinese drones."

 

[Dave Pitman]

I don't have enough knowledge and background about DJI to accept or deny any of the accusations.

I certainly don't know everything about DJI. But I have been a customer since 2013 with the Phantom 1. DJI continued to innovate, and when they released the Phantom 3 Pro, they absolutely captured the market. No American manufacturer was even interested at that point and DJI was already killing it. By the time 3DR and GoPro had a try at competing, they were already way behind. So, DJI captured the market by providing best in class equipment compared to the competition. Whether or not they had help, I don't know. But, their gear and the resulting sales speak for themselves.

No claims of spying, or using forced labor has ever been proven.

I am no DJI fan boy. But I do tend to give preference to facts.

 

[Dave Pitman]

I fully agree with your assessment that China is doing everything they can, including all the unethical stuff you mentioned, to position itself as best as it can.

I'm just saying that if DJI "stole" the secret sauce from "someone", how come that "someone" can't compete against their own secret sauce?

And, funny you mention stolen intellectual property. The president elect was called out by so many musical artists for stealing their music for his own campaign without permission or compensation. I think he is being sued, yet again, by Gibson for selling his clone of their guitars. Pretty hard for us to make accusations on others, right?

 

[mavic3usa]

I fully agree with your assessment that China is doing everything they can, including all the unethical stuff you mentioned, to position itself as best as it can.

I'm just saying that if DJI "stole" the secret sauce from "someone", how come that "someone" can't compete against their own secret sauce?

And, funny you mention stolen intellectual property. The president elect was called out by so many musical artists for stealing their music for his own campaign without permission or compensation. I think he is being sued, yet again, by Gibson for selling his clone of their guitars. Pretty hard for us to make accusations on others, right?

...yeah, nobody is honest. that's the problem.

 

[boudala]

Donald Trump, JR. has joined the board of Unusual Machines, a US drone manufacturer. He owns 331.850 shares. The share price has more than tripled since the announcement. Given the family connection, I think we can expect more pressure to enact a ban on Chinese drone imports.

“The need for drones is obvious. It is also obvious that we must stop buying Chinese drones and Chinese drone parts,” Trump Jr. said. “I love what Unusual Machines is doing to bring drone manufacturing jobs back to the USA and am excited to take on a bigger role in the movement.”

Drone company's stock soars after it appoints Donald Trump Jr. to advisory board

Orlando-based Unusual Machines said it relies on Chinese imports and warned of potential impacts from Trump tariffs.

www.nbcnews.com

UMAC's web page looks like a new startup's. There's absolutely no mention of actual products, but the stock price is right at the top and uses the largest type font on the entire page. And it's quite odd that the summary displayed on search engines is in Spanish.

Home - Unusual Machines

Esta é uma página de exemplo. É diferente de um post no blog porque ela permanecerá em um lugar e aparecerá na navegação do seu site na maioria dos temas. Muitas pessoas começam com uma página que as apresenta a possíveis visitantes do site. Ela pode dizer algo assim: Olá! Eu sou um mensageiro...

www.unusualmachines.com

View attachment 179421

Looks more like Portuguese to me

 

[GFields]

Sorry folks but this thread has went sideways. Many posts have had to be deleted due to community rules violations.

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