Avoid 'Unilateral' Export Controls That 'Undercut' US Tech Leadership, Urges CTA

CTA fears “unilateral” export controls over emerging technologies “can seriously undercut U.S. technological leadership,” it told the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security Thursday in docket BIS-2018-0024. CTA’s comments put it squarely in agreement with other tech groups that told BIS that overly strict export controls on new technology like artificial intelligence could harm tech innovation and bolster bad actors like China (see 1901100032). If the American tech industry is “locked out,” whether by “law or perception,” from pursuing “high growth markets” for “cutting-edge technologies,” U.S. companies “will lose the jobs and research investments that grow from our ability to compete for business in these fields,” said CTA. BIS should stick to the “principles” based in the 2018 Export Control Reform Act “as it considers whether or which technologies to propose for control,” it said. In deciding which emerging technologies should be targeted for controls, identify only those “not now controlled and that are essential to the national security” of the U.S., it said. It said any proposed controls should “be limited to addressing national security concerns, not trade policy issues.” CTA also urged the Trump administration to “give great weight to industry statements regarding how a proposed unilateral control would help or harm their U.S. business.” Don't "propose or impose new emerging technology controls unless it has fully considered the impact such controls would have on the U.S. economy,” CTA urged BIS. The Computer & Communications Industry Association suggested patented and patent-pending technology be excluded from export administration regulations. “A poorly executed export control regime can hinder innovation” and next-generation tech, CCIA said.