Coalition Commends President's Action on Export Control Modernization
Washington, D.C., Jan. 22 – The White House announced today the outcome of an extensive review by the administration of proposals to modernize the U.S. export control system.
The Coalition for Security and Competitiveness is pleased that the administration has taken these actions to improve the current export licensing process − an issue of critical importance to safeguarding our national security and advancing our technological leadership and global industrial competitiveness. The coalition appreciates the resources that the administration has dedicated to this effort and its commitment to carefully consider and respond to our concerns.
We view the administration’s action as an important step in a long-term process to achieve meaningful reform in the way the United States regulates defense trade and advanced technology exchange. The coalition is looking forward to working with the administration to implement the measures announced today.
The coalition welcomes the opportunity to continue our partnership with the government to develop other necessary improvements to the licensing process, particularly to facilitate the licensing of U.S. cooperative programs with our closest allies and friends.
High technology industries employ more than 4 million workers in the U.S., and one in six manufacturing jobs depends on exports of manufactured goods. High technology also accounted for $345 billion, or 37 percent, of all U.S. exports of manufactured goods in 2006, according to Commerce Department figures.
The Coalition for Security and Competitiveness, a diverse group of trade and industry organizations representing thousands of American businesses, proposed 19 specific recommendations to improve the way both the Commerce and State Departments implement export control regulations. For additional information, please visit the coalition’s Web site at www.securityandcompetitiveness.org.
