ZenaTech Anticipates Competitive Advantage for ZenaDrone as U.S. Imposes Tariffs of Up to 100% on Imported Drones and Components
*U.S. Presidential Proclamation favors ZenaDrone's domestic manufacturing and the company's vertically integrated Taiwan supply chain, strengthening its position in U.S. defense markets*
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 17, 2026 [(GLOBE NEWSWIRE)](https://www.globenewswire.com/) \-- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that a U.S. [Presidential Proclamation](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=VLyJQx1pVBzZRcshPJI4fsZawwGwsUI4JiagalJLT9H6M0qJWGNuZgMge-ygk6v5-yaM9w-zcrZBrxhdQXFjD_xgH8r0iHCRv-JZOTPilDsPRUViEXdwdQoWFRfNZ2kAricSUxYD4WHOJ936nJkdBsMNLCaIzDolDZCne-eaEI6e7P7FFEHFhe28NLaNfeARhdGtJAKd5xeHzdsmuRw_9ku_opCEsxoD_l9dDsz_TZrjpRFWo7bCiXsio51tmhUnNkiU8LL6lY9bWDzLfMwQmdvEoMr3-BHi-WxSpaWfvhE=) signed August 13, 2026 imposing [Section 232 tariffs](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=k4yElktUOGlx4R67cih2IRdvd65dyNOdXjr4x7AFY3SQ2H9VwOffnXxs0tqe4nEgf0XbJiIXKqoprHhWfyiy9quTK6AxcKYHvCNGpUY6IKVbuu5LTpO6UMWHALlVoIVXpBAbxNGDQm4D7cKlrGBtw3l7dkE_j-IUe8vp5QE5GSqvLOyOLrMIx_EYH6iI6KdM8x5m4dfrMyyMh3PbQGOOp3BR-AYRkGpwCH2TyHVnuyjbhKHULYo2K8cjaaXMoKHXt4j-A8StPU0JWsOihClU1pCPc2p3BrBoIXsMMmDq4lWqy9czgO_BM__YjytXOMB3u2nV5VOKr_3s1AunOFNNxA==) on imported drones and components could strengthen the competitive positioning of its U.S.-based drone design and manufacturing subsidiary ZenaDrone.
Objectives of the proclamation include national security and reducing U.S. dependence on foreign drone manufacturing and supply chains, as well as rapidly building domestic drone manufacturing capacity. The new policy validates ZenaTech's U.S.–Taiwan vertical integration strategy through now explicitly prioritizing expansion of domestic manufacturing and trusted-country supply chains. Tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and critical components could provide a competitive advantage to ZenaDrone's U.S. defense opportunities for NDAA-compliant, secure, domestically manufactured drones and Counter-UAS solutions.
"For years, the drone industry rewarded whoever could build the most inexpensively offshore, creating a supply chain now recognized as a national security vulnerability. We made a different decision, building our drone manufacturing in the U.S. and developing a vertically integrated, NDAA-compliant supply chain through our operations in Taiwan because we believed defense and critical-infrastructure customers would increasingly demand secure, trusted supply chains," said Dr. Shaun Passley, ZenaTech CEO. "The new Section 232 tariffs reinforce our strategy and could significantly strengthen ZenaDrone's competitive position in the U.S. defense market, particularly for our larger ZD 1000 and Counter-UAS defense platforms. We believe this policy shift validates our investments made in U.S. manufacturing and vertical integration, and we intend to move quickly to review the Commerce Department's onshoring program evaluating opportunities to further expand domestic manufacturing capacity to capture growing demand across government and commercial markets."
The Proclamation imposes tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones and certain critical components, including larger drones over 25 kilograms and drones with thermal imaging capabilities, while smaller drones generally face a 25% tariff. Importantly, ZenaTech's qualifying products and components from Taiwan are eligible for preferential tariff treatment of no more than 15%, compared with tariffs of up to 100% for covered products from countries without preferential treatment such as China. This significantly strengthens the strategic value of ZenaTech's vertically integrated supply chain through its Spider Vision Sensors subsidiary in Taiwan and its U.S. manufacturing strategy.
The Proclamation also establishes an onshoring program to encourage new investment in U.S. drone and component manufacturing. It recognizes drones as a critical technology for modern warfare and future U.S. military operations, emphasizing the need to rapidly expand domestic production to strengthen national and economic security. These priorities closely align with ZenaTech's strategy to expand Zena Drone's U.S. manufacturing footprint and grow its defense and public-safety drone business. The Company intends to evaluate participation in the onshoring program, and management believes its existing and planned U.S. manufacturing and assembly operations provide a strong foundation to accelerate additional capacity. ZenaTech is reviewing the full Proclamation, including applicable tariff schedule classifications and product-level determinations, and will provide further updates as they develop.
[https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/zenatech-anticipates-competitive-advantage-zenadrone-113000842.html](https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/zenatech-anticipates-competitive-advantage-zenadrone-113000842.html)