Faraday Future (NASDAQ:FFAI) Global Executive Chairman Jerry Wang says the U.S. could slow its own robotics industry if it cuts off Chinese hardware before American suppliers are ready to replace it.
Wang told Benzinga that Faraday can currently source only about 40% of the components it needs in the U.S., with fewer than half available at competitive prices.
Asked whether everything could be sourced domestically if cost were no object, Wang replied: “No way. No way.”
Why Washington Is Restricting Foreign Robots
Asked whether tariffs had hurt Faraday, Wang instead pointed to new Federal Communications Commission restrictions.
The FCC requires many connected devices to be authorized before they can be sold in the U.S. In July, it added foreign-produced advanced robots to its Covered List, citing national-security and public-safety risks. New covered models generally cannot receive authorization unless they secure an exemption.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr has said the policy is also intended to reduce reliance on foreign technology and encourage more U.S. manufacturing.
Faraday has said the rules accelerated its “Built in USA” strategy, with a U.S. robot factory targeted by year-end and its first new domestically assembled device in February 2027.
Wang Wants the Same Destination, but More Time
Wang said he supports tighter controls on robot software, data, training and connectivity, but argues the hardware supply chain needs more time.
“Even if I’m willing to buy with double price, it’s not available in here,” he said. “If they ban everything completely right now, shut down everything, no one is able to make robots in the United States.”
Wang estimated that Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) still sources roughly half of its parts from China. Polymarket gives Tesla about an 11% chance of making Optimus available for public purchase by year-end.
Wang told Benzinga that commercializing Optimus in 2027 is “very realistic.”
He expects U.S. suppliers to improve over the next two to three years.
“If you don’t allow chicken to come in, how you are able to have more eggs? And then ultimately, you will have your own chicken,” Wang said.
“Give industry a reasonable time,” he added. “Don’t close it right now because the industry is not ready, and it’s hurting US.”
Faraday Shifts Its Focus to Robots
Faraday made its name as an electric-vehicle startup, but robotics has become an increasingly important part of the business.
Wang said building robots is far less capital-intensive than building cars. Faraday spent about $4 billion over the past decade on its automotive business, he said, versus roughly $10 million on robotics this year while delivering more than 500 units.
He said its robots use roughly 100 parts compared with more than 3,000 for a vehicle and require a fraction of the factory space.
Wang said wheeled robots can handle warehouse and factory work, quadrupeds can be used in education and security, while humanoids are aimed at hospitality, entertainment and research.
“In 10 years, I think there will be more robots compared to human beings,” he said, adding that humanoids could eventually account for roughly half of the robotics market.
Image: Shutterstock
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