New BIS Officials Single Out China, Russia
In their first official statements at the Bureau of Industry and Security, the agency’s two newest export control officials singled out China and Russia and said they plan to prioritize enforcement work involving human rights.
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Thea Kendler, BIS’s assistant secretary for export administration (see 2201050023 and 2109210058), said the U.S. is at the “forefront of our nation’s response to the challenges involving China, Russia, supply chains, and emerging and foundational technologies,” although BIS has faced criticism from some lawmakers for moving too slowly on its emerging and foundational technology control effort (see 2110250035). “While these issues are complex, I have great confidence in the dedicated professionals of Export Administration,” Kendler said in a Jan. 7 statement. “I look forward to working with my interagency counterparts and with our allies to ensure we have a rigorous and effective export control system that furthers global security.”
Matthew Axelrod, assistant secretary for export enforcement (see 2110080045), said he is “honored” to join an administration that prioritizes democracy and human rights. “I am humbled to lead the highly-effective team of national security professionals at Export Enforcement as we contend with efforts by China, Russia, Iran, non-state actors, and others to divert peaceful commerce to malign ends,” Axelrod said.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said both are “highly qualified, experienced national security professionals, and I look forward to working with them to advance” issues surrounding our “strategic competition with China, advancement of U.S. technological leadership, and promotion of secure trade that benefits the American people and global stability.” Kendler officially started at BIS Dec. 20, and Axelrod began Dec. 28.