Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Trump slaps drone tariffs; foreign shipyards may build US warships
The president of the United States signed two big orders on the same day.
One order adds special fees, called tariffs, to drones that people buy from other countries.
Drones are small flying machines used for many tasks.
The other order tells the Navy, which is the part of the military that uses big ships, to change how its aircraft carriers work.
Aircraft carriers are giant ships with flat tops where airplanes take off and land.
The president wants to use old-style steam power instead of fancy electric catapults, because he thinks the electric ones cost too much and are too complicated.
The Navy will also get help from shipyards in other countries to build warships faster.
That help is only allowed if those companies invest in American shipyards and train American workers.
Very dangerous drones will get a 100% extra fee, and smaller drones will get a 25% extra fee.
President Donald Trump signed two proclamations on Thursday — new tariffs on drones and drone components, and a memorandum directing the US Navy to restore older carrier technologies.
The Navy memorandum directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to replace Advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems and Advanced Weapons Elevators with traditional steam and hydraulic systems.
Trump has previously criticised electric catapults on US aircraft carriers as too complex and too costly, calling for a return to steam-powered systems.
Qualifying foreign shipbuilders that make significant investments in US shipyards and train American workers can build up to two ships at their parent shipyards to bridge fleet gaps, while a fifth US Naval shipyard is established.
The drone proclamation imposes a 100% tariff on 'particularly sensitive' drones and a 25% tariff on smaller drones, taking effect 21 days after signing, with 180 days for less-sensitive components.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, who signed the proclamations, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is directed to implement the Navy changes.
- What
- New tariffs on drones and drone components, plus a memorandum directing the US Navy to restore steam and hydraulic carrier systems, establish a fifth naval shipyard, and allow limited construction of American warships at foreign shipyards.
- When
- The proclamations were signed on Thursday; drone tariffs take effect 21 days after signing, and tariffs on 'not particularly sensitive' components take effect 180 days after signing.
- Where
- United States — the actions were announced through a White House fact sheet.
- Why
- Citing the national security threat associated with drone technology and the need to address immediate US fleet gaps on a quick turnaround.
- President
- Donald Trump
- Defense Secretary
- Pete Hegseth
- Announcement
- Two proclamations signed on Thursday (drone tariffs; Navy memorandum)
- Drone tariff — 'particularly sensitive' drones
- 100%
- Drone tariff — smaller drones
- 25%
- Tariff effective date
- 21 days after signing; 180 days for 'not particularly sensitive' components
- Carrier technology change
- Electromagnetic launch systems and weapons elevators replaced with steam/hydraulic systems
- Shipyard measures
- Fifth US Naval shipyard to be established; qualifying foreign shipbuilders may build up to two ships at parent shipyards