In Japan, BIS Leader Stresses Targeted, Collaborative Export Controls
The U.S. is not using its export controls for “economic protectionism” and is committed to a narrow, “targeted” approach to restrictions on advanced technologies, Bureau of Industry and Security Undersecretary Alan Estevez said in Japan last week. “We are laser focused on national security, and the controls we put in place are focused on select advanced technologies that have strategic applications,” Estevez said during the Mount Fuji Dialogue, an annual summit of U.S. and Japanese representatives. “We are strictly adhering to the small yard, high fence concept in applying our export controls.”
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Even with a narrow approach, Estevez said, the U.S. “must protect” certain technologies, specifically referencing updated BIS licensing requirements on advanced chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment announced this month (see 2310170055). “Through these updates, we hope to ensure that our controls are better positioned to control advanced computing chips needed for supercomputing applications and the development of artificial intelligence large language models for military purposes or advanced surveillance capabilities,” he said.
Estevez also stressed the importance of cooperation with Japan, saying the two countries must “work together to maintain effective multilateral processes to innovate, manage our supply chains, and protect technologies that could be used by our adversaries against us.” He called Japan “one of our most important allies in controlling advanced technology,” and said the U.S. looks “forward to continuing to work together on ensuring the security and safety of our two nations and our partners in this region.”