A humanoid robot from Robostore joins CNBC's Power Lunch on Dec. 30, 2025.
CNBC
BEIJING — The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has repeatedly ignored Beijing's restrained stance on product bans, China's commerce ministry said Thursday, threatening retaliation.
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The FCC on Tuesday said due to cybersecurity concerns, it added foreign-made advanced robotic devices, including humanoids, to a list restricting imports to the U.S. The statement did not specify a country, and said retailers could still import models the FCC has previously approved.
As the FCC keeps escalating restrictions on Chinese goods, it "severely damages China-U.S. economic and trade stability," China's commerce ministry said in an online statement Thursday. That's according to a CNBC translation of Mandarin.
The ministry urged the U.S. to withdraw the decision, and threatened countermeasures if it failed to do so.
"This is bad news for Chinese humanoid producers planning their IPOs in the coming months," said Marc Einstein, a research director at Counterpoint Research. "The two major cards China can play are to further restrict rare earth sales to American companies and further restricting Chinese market access for American companies like Tesla and NVIDIA."
The commerce ministry's statement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Chinese President Xi Jinping in September. Tensions over the tech race have meanwhile intensified, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying the U.S. could sanction China over AI model "theft."
Chinese companies Agibot, Unitree and UBTech accounted for the top-three humanoid companies by installation market share last year, according to Counterpoint. Tesla's Optimus ranked fifth.
Hong Kong-listed UBTech shares briefly fell more than 6% in Thursday morning trading. Unitree and Agibot have filed to go public.
Robostore, a distributor of Chinese humanoid robots in North America, has been preparing by expanding its U.S.-based capabilities, CEO Teddy Haggerty said in a statement to CNBC. He did not elaborate on details.
—CNBC's Matthew Tan contributed to this report.%!s()
Uncertainty over crude oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz is pushing Asian states towards Canada’s TMX crude oil.
The first shipment of Canadian crude oil since 2025 is headed to Japan on a ship chartered by Exxon Mobil, according to data released by tracking firm Kpler.
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The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, Freedom Glory, which can carry up to 750,000 barrels of crude, left Vancouver on Wednesday, loaded with Trans Mountain pipeline (TMX) crude.
The latest oil shipment from TMX Canada was bought by Japan’s largest refiner Eneos, according to Kpler.
The last section of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project before operations began in 2024, near Laidlaw, British Columbia, Canada [Chris Helgren/Reuters]
On Thursday, Tokyo cut its growth forecast for this year to 0.9 percent from 1.3 percent as a result of higher oil prices.
Up until the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in February, it had been importing more than 90 percent of its oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Now, Japan is among several Asian countries urgently attempting to diversify their suppliers, after the war choked oil shipments through Hormuz.
Trans Mountain oil
The Trans Mountain pipeline carries up to 890,000 barrels of crude oil a day from Canada’s Alberta to a marine terminal in Burnaby, British Columbia.
The pipeline is owned by the federal government, and has been running at almost 90 percent capacity since the third quarter of 2025.
Exports via TMX to Asia accounted for nearly 77 percent of total oil exports from Vancouver this year, compared with about 51 percent in 2024.
India, Malaysia and Singapore have all returned to buying crude shipped via TMX since the war on Iran, while Canadian oil accounts for nearly 60 percent of US crude oil imports, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he does not intend to use Canada’s oil as leverage in talks with Washington, despite the administration of US President Donald Trump announcing new tariffs on Canadian products last week.
“Canadians can be trusted. And so, when you’re a supplier of a key commodity… you gotta think really hard about not supplying,” Carney replied when asked whether he would use Canada’s oil as a pressure tactic. %!s()
Sebastian Bialecki secured his second PDC ranking title with a hard-fought 8-6 victory against Mario Vandenbogaerde in Wednesday's Players Championship 26 final.
Exactly a year to the day since he claimed his maiden ranking title in Hildesheim, Bialecki repeated the feat on German soil, overturning a 5-3 deficit to cap off another memorable triumph.
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The 22-year-old has celebrated an astonishing six Development Tour titles in 2026, and he reaffirmed his credentials by returning to the winner's circle at Halle 39.
Coates wins maiden title at Players Championship 25
Bialecki began his title challenge with successive ton-plus averages in deciding-leg wins over Dennie Olde Kalter and Cor Dekker, recovering from 5-3 down in his opener against Olde Kalter.
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However, Poland's No 2 then conceded just three legs in his next three matches, dispatching Viktor Tingstrom, Bradley Brooks and Damon Heta to storm through to the semi-finals.
Bialecki reeled off five consecutive legs from 4-2 down to dump out European Champion Gian van Veen in the last four, before displaying similar resistance against Belgian veteran Vandenbogaerde.
Vandenbogaerde led 3-1 and 5-3 at one stage, but Bialecki delivered a timely mid-match burst, converting consecutive 101 and 100 checkouts and winning five of the last six legs to prevail.
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"I don't know what I can say. It's an unbelievable feeling," reflected Bialecki, who currently occupies eighth spot on the Players Championship rankings.
"Before this tournament, I saw on my Facebook memories that it was the day I won my first one [title] a year ago.
"Maybe this tournament was a little bit similar, because I also won the first match from 3-5 down. I'm over the moon now."
Bialecki's second ProTour title puts him firmly in contention for a place in the upcoming World Grand Prix, which takes place in Leicester from September 28-October 4, live on Sky Sports.
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Highlights of the Women's World Matchplay final between Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock in Blackpool
Elsewhere, Monday's champion Henry Coates continued his groundbreaking week in Hildesheim, averaging 109.34 and 105.79 prior to his defeat against Justin Hood.
Newly crowned Women's World Matchplay champion Beau Greaves also averaged north of 106 and 104 in victories over Adam Paxton and Yorick Hofkens respectively, before succumbing to a resurgent Damon Heta.
Earlier in the day, Scott Williams produced perfection during his opening round success against Callan Rydz, although his hopes of a significant run were also thwarted by Heta in round two.
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Twenty-year-old sensation Henry Coates averaged almost 105 as he beat Damon Heta to clinch his maiden ProTour title in Hildesheim
2026 Players Championship 26: Results
Last 16 Karel Sedlacek 6-0 Wessel Nijman Justin Hood 6-4 William O'Connor Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-1 Richard Veenstra Joe Hunt 6-4 Niels Zonneveld Ritchie Edhouse 6-1 Mensur Suljovic Gian van Veen 6-3 Ricky Evans Sebastian Bialecki 6-0 Bradley Brooks Damon Heta 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
Quarter-Finals Justin Hood 6-2 Karel Sedlacek Mario Vandenbogaerde 6-5 Joe Hunt Gian van Veen 6-5 Ritchie Edhouse Sebastian Bialecki 6-2 Damon Heta
Semi-Finals Mario Vandenbogaerde 7-4 Justin Hood Sebastian Bialecki 7-4 Gian van Veen
Final Sebastian Bialecki 8-6 Mario Vandenbogaerde
Who will win this year's BoyleSports World Grand Prix? World No 1 Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.%!s()
FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Argentina over potential breaches of multiple laws during the World Cup.
The breaches includethe use of discriminatory chants and gestures, team misconduct, security and protocol failures and inappropriate messages being displayed - namely the banner that the players held saying 'The Falklands are Argentine' following the 2-1 semi-final win over England.
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The banner is a potential breach of article 13 paragraph 2 c) which states that a sporting event cannot be used for demonstrations of a non-sporting nature.
Several players are also subject to disciplinary proceedings for the angry scenes at full-time after Argentina lost the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain.
Leonardo Paredes, who grabbed and pushed Spain players, faces proceedings for three breaches of article 14 paragraph 1 i) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (assault).
Nahuel Molina, who struck Rodri at full-time, Thiago Almada and coach Roberto Ayala have all had proceedings opened against them.
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Lamine Yamal showed off a Paredes vs Gavi sign at Spain's open-top bus parade celebrating their World Cup win, referencing the scuffle between the two midfielders after the full-time whistle on Sunday
Spain midfielder Gavi has also had separate proceedings brought against him for 'unsporting behaviour'.
"This is all in relation to two incidents involving the behaviour of Argentina players and their fans during the World Cup. The first was the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England in Atlanta, and the second was at the World Cup final in New Jersey against Spain.
"At the end of the England game, their players produced a banner about the Falkland Islands, proclaiming that the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina.
"The banner was taken to the stadium by some of Argentina's supporters and at the end of the game, some of the players got hold of the banner, displayed it in front of the Argentina supporters and also then placed it on the pitch for a good few minutes.
"After a few minutes, that banner was then folded up by the players and given to a member of their backroom staff, and it was taken away with them.
"I think there's a very good chance that if Argentina had won the final, they would have produced that banner again.
"FIFA now open disciplinary proceedings against them over that because, of course, it's against FIFA's laws to make any political statements at football games.
"They've also been looked at for racist abuse. Also late kick-offs - so turning up late for the game - and also a failure to comply with security protocols. Throwing objects, displaying inappropriate messages by the team and fans.
"Going on to the scenes that we saw during the game against Spain, and also after the game, where there were some disgraceful scenes and behaviour because basically the Argentina players didn't react very well to losing that World Cup final.
"FIFA are looking into the behaviour of Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and also an Argentina coach, Roberto Ayala, and also they're looking into one Spain player, Gavi, for allegations of unsporting behaviour.
"FIFA, on a day when they are in the news for very controversial reasons, perhaps releasing some news that maybe will stop us talking about Gianni Infantino's plans to sell off parts of the World Cup and get us to talk about football behaviour in Argentina players and fans." %!s()
Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu have dominated the women’s majors this season, but who can stop those two from enjoying further success at the AIG Women’s Open this week?
It's the first time ever that two players have won multiple majors in a season, with Korda claiming the Chevron Championship and US Women's Open before Ryu followed her win at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship with play-off glory at the Amundi Evian Championship.
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Both players aim to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to lift three majors in a calendar year, with Ryu aiming to emulate the Korean by winning three consecutive majors.
AIG Women's Open: Latest news, build-up from Royal Lytham
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Speaking ahead of the AIG Women's Open, Charley Hull discussed her 'rivalry' with Nelly Korda and her hopes for major victory
The pair have been grouped together for the first two rounds at Royal Lytham & St Annes, on the early-late side of the draw, with Korda the pre-tournament favourite to claim a fourth different major title required to complete a career Grand Slam.
"There's no question that this year she [Korda] has been a different character - she certainly seems happier in herself and is in a good place," Trish Johnson told Sky Sports. "She has had a stunning season and everything has been working perfectly for her.
"It will be an interesting week because this is a golf course that should suit her. When she is at her very best, in my opinion she is head and shoulders above everyone else."
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Which players can stop the major-winning duo?
Korda's best previous finish at the AIG Women's Open is being tied-second in the 2024 edition at St Andrews, with Lydia Ko - the winner that week - completing that marquee threeball with her and Ryu.
Miyu Yamashita returns as defending champion after last year's breakthrough victory at Royal Porthcawl, with the Japanese player adding two LPGA Tour titles since and bidding to be the first back-to-back women's major winner since Yani Tseng in 2011.
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Miyu Yamashita claimed her first major victory after holding off a late charge from Charley Hull during last year's contest
"She [Yamashita] is playing great, she had a top-five finish at the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open last week and this golf course will suit her down to a tee," Johnson added.
Lottie Woad and Charley Hull lead the home hopes of a first English winner of a women's major since Georgia Hall's win here, with Woad posting top-10 finishes in her previous two AIG Women's Open appearances and Hull runner-up in two of the last three editions.
"She [Hull] has had five runner-up finishes in majors, which is brilliant and shows she can go down the stretch," Dame Laura Davies said. "I don't remember her ever letting them go, someone always came and beat her."
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Charley Hull reveals the hilarious scratchcard prank she pulled on her caddie Adam Woodward ahead of the AIG Women's Open
On Woad's hopes, Davies added: "I'd have her up there as one of my real favourites. I love the way she plays, she's very calm and she's handling the limelight really well.
"She doesn't get too up and doesn't get too down and normally, around a links course, you're going to get some bad breaks. If you can handle them better the rest, you might be the one standing with the trophies."
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Who will win the AIG Women's Open?
Dame Laura Davies: Lottie Woad
Trish Johnson: Miyu Yamashita
Richard Kaufman: Miyu Yamashita
Christina Kim: Lydia Ko
Catriona Matthew: Miyu Yamashita
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Miyu Yamashita was surrounded by her fellow Japanese players as they celebrated her two-shot victory at the 2025 AIG Women's Open
Iona Stephen: Lottie Woad
Sarah Stirk: Lottie Woad
Sophie Walker: Haeran Ryu
Jamie Weir: Miyu Yamashita
Ali Whitaker: Nelly Korda
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Nelly Korda needs to win either the AIG Women's Open or Amundi Evian Championship to complete the career Grand Slam
Who could be a surprise package to impress?
Dame Laura Davies: Minami Katsu
Trish Johnson: Gaby Lopez
Richard Kaufman: Shannon Tan
Christina Kim: Hannah Green
Catriona Matthew: Mimi Rhodes
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Mimi Rhodes made a sensational hole-in-one as her ball dropped into the hole after glancing off Steph Kyriacou's ball at the 2025 AIG Women's Open
Iona Stephen: Valentine Delon
Sarah Stirk: Aki Iwai
Sophie Walker: Allisen Corpuz
Jamie Weir: Lauren Coughlin
Ali Whitaker: Brooke Henderson
When is the AIG Women's Open live on Sky Sports?
Sky Sports remains the exclusive home of the AIG Women's Open in the UK and Ireland, with Featured Groups coverage available for the first time and six hours more of live action on Sky Sports than ever before.
Featured Groups coverage begins at 9am on Thursday and Friday on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of full coverage getting under way at 1pm, with live coverage of rounds three and four then beginning at midday over the weekend.
