The State Department completed interagency review last week for a final rule involving an exemption within the International Traffic in Arms Regulations for defense trade between the AUKUS nations of Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. The rule, sent for interagency review in September (see 2509120027) could build on the agency's August 2024 interim final rule, which created the exemption to reduce certain export control barriers under the ITAR (see 2408160019).
Advanced technology and AI companies largely supported the Commerce Department’s new effort to create a program aimed at increasing U.S. exports of AI technologies and services, with some saying companies should commit to "rigorous" export compliance conditions before being allowed to participate. One company said the U.S. should require businesses to automate their compliance for exports involving certain dual-use AI models, saying manual compliance presents too many “failure points.”
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls last month updated its list of commodity jurisdiction determinations for items and services controlled under the U.S. Munitions List. The new determinations cover certain batteries, a life raft, a system to disrupt drones, ammunition, a microwave instrument and more.
The Council on Governmental Relations, an organization of more than 200 U.S. research universities, released new guidance that outlines the major federal regulations governing research security, including export control rules, guardrails for sensitive information transfers, foreign investment restrictions and more. The 25-page document highlights both "policy expectations and practical considerations for integrating research security" into university activities. It's aimed at helping "technology transfer professionals balance their universities’ longstanding commitment to open scientific exchange with increasing federal requirements to safeguard sensitive research outputs, including materials, data, and intellectual property, from unauthorized access, diversion, or foreign exploitation."
The Trump administration's November designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally is set to streamline requirements related to direct commercial sales of defense articles, especially space-related activities subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, DLA Piper said in a client alert.
The U.S. launched a new export licensing platform that allows users to track the progress of applications submitted to both the State and Commerce departments, which it said will “simplify export control processes, enhance compliance, and provide centralized resources for industry users.”
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has redesigned its Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS) industry user homepage.
The State Department will officially remove its arms embargo against Cambodia under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, effective Nov. 7, the agency said in a Federal Register notice released this week.
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., on Oct. 31 introduced a companion to a Senate bill aimed at ensuring that the Bureau of Industry and Security and the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls can continue processing license applications for firearms exports during a lapse in government appropriations (see 2510310048). Cline’s measure was referred to the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees.
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