U.S. export controls will slow China’s innovation efforts, but they'll never “stop” the country from advancing technologically, Bureau of Industry and Security Undersecretary Alan Estevez said.
The U.S. and its allies need a new framework to coordinate export controls on advanced, critical technologies, Bureau of Industry and Security Undersecretary Alan Estevez said. But he also said there is some disagreement within the U.S. government about the best way forward.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is studying ways it can place potential export controls on access to advanced open-source software, including artificial intelligence-powered models similar to ChatGPT-4, as well as certain cloud computing services, BIS Undersecretary Alan Estevez said. Although Estevez said no controls are imminent, the agency is working to form a set of export control policy options to address both.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending the public comment period for an information collection related to declaration forms submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The forms provide the IAEA with information on commercial nuclear and nuclear-related items, materials and activities, including imports and exports. Comments were previously due Oct 10 (see 2308090011), but BIS is allowing for another 30 days of comments from the publication of the notice on the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection involving its processes for applying for export license applications. The collection specifically involves the agency’s “simple network application process” and “multipurpose application form,” which allow exporters to submit license applications, commodity classification requests, encryption review requests and other “notifications” to BIS. Comments are due Feb. 6.
The Bureau of Industry and Security needs to overhaul its export control policies to stem the flow of U.S. national security technology that is fueling China’s military modernization, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said in a report marking the end of a 90-day review of the agency (see 2210030068).
Bureau of Industry and Security Undersecretary Alan Estevez called this week for more funding from Congress, suggesting BIS may need a substantially increased annual budget to more effectively implement and enforce export controls against China and other countries.
The Bureau of Industry and Security this week released a host of export control changes designed to ease license requirements and expand license exceptions for certain exports of pathogens and toxins, crime-control goods and missile technology items to U.S. allies. The agency also proposed changes to License Exception Strategic Trade Authorization (STA) to try to convince more exporters to use the exception.
The Bureau of Industry and Security again renewed the temporary denial order for Belavia Belarusian Airlines, Belarus' state-owned national airline. BIS first suspended the export privileges of the airline in June (see 2206160015) and has renewed that suspension twice, barring it from participating in transactions with items subject to the Export Administration Regulations. The agency this week renewed the denial order for one year -- longer than the previous 180-day renewals -- after finding Belavia continues to illegally operate aircraft subject to the EAR, including for flights between Russia, Belarus, Turkey and Egypt.
The Bureau of Industry and Security’s recent 90-day pause in issuing commercial firearms export licenses will financially harm companies, especially small ones, that rely on foreign sales for income, according to a letter five Republican members of the House Small Business Committee sent to BIS.