Assessing Risks Associated With US Export Control Laws

Abstract

The economy continues to become more global and the ability and ease of transmitting and receiving electronic data grows almost daily. Combined with the proliferation of physical and cyber threats and terrorist activities, it is understandable that the US government has renewed focus on national security with the underlying goal of keeping products and technology out of the hands of foreign entities that may be a threat to US national security. It is the policy of the United States to restrict the export and re-export of items that would make a significant contribution to the military potential of any other country or combination of countries that would prove detrimental to the national security of the United States. For many years, the US government has regulated international transactions through numerous governmental agencies acting under a variety of complex and overlapping rules and regulations to promote national security and support US international policies. Currently, the US government is actively engaged in efforts to revise and reform its system of export control laws.