Story perspectives

Vucic Opens Chinese Humanoid Robot Factory in Sabac

8/31/2026

Summary

Vucic Launches Robots

President Aleksandar Vucic inaugurated a Chinese-backed humanoid robot factory in Sabac.
The Minth Group-AGIBOT joint venture began production on August 29, 2026 with a €20 million investment.
Vucic said Serbian troops will receive armed Chinese robots within 15 days.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration banned imports of advanced foreign robots on July 29, citing national-security risks.
MERICS analyst Antonia Hmaidi warned the plant could help China evade EU tariffs.

Summary

Chinese Robots Sprint

Chinese humanoid robots set a new 100-meter sprint record of 9.39 seconds and later improved it to 8.86 seconds.
The games featured more than 2,000 robots competing in 51 events such as running, table tennis and soccer.
AgiBot and Tien Kung captured most Chinese medals, leading the overall medal table.
641 of 666 teams were Chinese, representing 157 companies and 200 universities.

History

Historical Context

In 2018 the Trump administration imposed 25% steel and 10% aluminium tariffs on March 1 and extended them to the EU, Canada and Mexico on May 31, signalling a new curb on foreign imports. The robot ban and Aleksandar Vucic’s opening of a Serbian humanoid-robot plant built by China’s Minth-Group illustrate how U.S. restrictions push partners toward Europe-Asia collaborations.

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Vucic Launches Robots

President Aleksandar Vucic inaugurated a Chinese-backed humanoid robot factory in Sabac.
The Minth Group-AGIBOT joint venture began production on August 29, 2026 with a €20 million investment.
Vucic said Serbian troops will receive armed Chinese robots within 15 days.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration banned imports of advanced foreign robots on July 29, citing national-security risks.
MERICS analyst Antonia Hmaidi warned the plant could help China evade EU tariffs.

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