U.S. Chamber Welcomes Plans to Modernize U.S. Export Controls

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Affairs Myron Brilliant issued the following statement today welcoming the initiative announced by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to modernize U.S. export controls:

"The Chamber applauds the administration's plan to modernize export controls. For the first time in decades, the stars are aligned for meaningful reform that will enhance U.S. national security and economic competiveness at the same time.

"Sensitive technologies with military applications must be protected. Stronger controls may be warranted for the critical military technologies Secretary Gates calls the 'crown jewels.'

"But the U.S. export controls system hasn't kept pace with technological changes, and today it covers too many products that lack a significant military application or are readily available from other countries.

"Security must come first, but we should eliminate controls that serve no real security purpose."

The U.S. Chamber is a founding member of the Coalition for Security and Competitiveness (CSC), which in January released a comprehensive set of recommendations for reform of the U.S. export control system. The CSC seeks a more efficient, predictable, and transparent export control system to meet the security and economic challenges of the 21st century.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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