The United States government has delivered a major blow to Chinese networking giant TP-Link, banning the sale of its routers and other consumer networking products in a sweeping move driven by national security concerns.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has placed TP-Link and a range of foreign-made consumer networking and security devices on its “Covered List,” effectively blocking new products from entering the US market. The ban extends beyond routers to include devices such as security cameras, with further uncertainty surrounding brands like Anker and Eufy.

The decision underscores Washington’s increasingly aggressive stance against technology companies with alleged ties to the Chinese government. Officials say the move is aimed at reducing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and protecting US citizens from potential cyber threats.

The FCC justified the crackdown by citing “unacceptable risks to national security,” pointing to recent cyberattacks—including the Volt, Flax, and Salt Typhoon incidents—that targeted US communications, energy, transport, and water systems. According to the agency, foreign-manufactured routers played a direct role in enabling those attacks.

“Given the critical role routers play in our economy and defence, the United States can no longer rely on foreign nations for their manufacture,” the FCC stated.

The ban mirrors earlier action taken in December, when the US restricted imports of foreign-made drones unless manufacturers received special exemptions.

Under the new rules, companies will no longer receive FCC radio authorisation for new foreign-made networking devices—effectively halting imports. Existing products that have already been approved can continue to be sold, but only until they are replaced by newer models, a looming issue as the industry transitions to next-generation Wi-Fi 7 technology.

Manufacturers now face a stark choice: secure conditional approval by committing to US-based production, or abandon the American market altogether—similar to drone maker DJI’s exit.

The move is expected to reshape the competitive landscape. US-based Netgear is tipped to benefit, as its products are likely to remain available, while foreign competitors face mounting regulatory barriers.

For TP-Link, the decision is particularly damaging. The company has spent recent years attempting to distance itself from China, splitting from its Chinese parent in 2022, establishing a global headquarters in California in 2024, and even launching legal action against Netgear in 2025 over allegations of Chinese government influence.

Despite those efforts, the FCC’s ruling appears to have swept broadly across the entire sector. TP-Link, which manufactures in Vietnam, warned that the impact could be industry-wide.

“Virtually all routers are made outside the United States,” a company spokesperson said. “It appears that the entire router industry will be affected by the FCC’s decision on new devices.”

The broader implications are significant. With most consumer networking equipment produced overseas, the crackdown could disrupt supply chains, limit consumer choice, and drive up costs for both households and businesses.

Attention is now turning to US allies, including Australia, which previously followed Washington’s lead in banning Huawei from its telecommunications networks. Whether Canberra will adopt similar restrictions on consumer networking gear remains unclear.

TP-Link is generally considered #1 or #2 in retail consumer networking (units) in the Australian market with an estimated 20–30%+ share range in retail channels such as JB Hi Fi and Harvey Norman.