Commerce Seeking to Strike 'Balance' With Quantum Export Controls, Official Says

Export controls on American technology are helping the U.S. maintain its technological lead over foreign competitors, and the Biden administration plans to follow that blueprint for restrictions around quantum technologies, said Don Graves, deputy secretary of the Commerce Department.

Graves, speaking during an event this week hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has “learned a lot” over the past few years about how its export controls can be used effectively, citing the restrictions it has imposed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

“So between the analysis at [the International Trade Administration] and the export control work that BIS is doing, we understand where we have the ability to use choke points to prevent our adversaries from getting access to the most critical technologies, using that effectively, and protecting our vital technologies like quantum,” Graves said.

He added that America is “perhaps five or 10 years ahead” of its closest competitors in quantum, including China, and wants to keep that lead. “We have to do both an offense and a defensive strategy,” he said, “and so that’s what BIS is doing.”

Graves stressed that the administration doesn’t want its controls to stop “the world from being able to advance and develop technologies in total.” The U.S. is hoping to “pick and choose” certain technologies to control so that they have the “most impact” and are aligned with similar restrictions imposed by trading partners.

BIS earlier this month unveiled a new set of advanced technology export controls that will apply to quantum computing, semiconductor manufacturing, 3D printing and other critical technologies that the agency said foreign militaries could use to harm U.S. national security (see 2409050028). Graves said Commerce is having “ongoing conversations with the business community” about its controls “to better understand potential impacts.” Comments on the controls are due Nov. 5.

“We speak at length with our partners and allies. We want to get that balance just right,” Graves said. “We won’t compromise on national security, full stop. That’s something that is absolutely essential to us. But we have to recognize that economic security is also national security. So getting that balance right is important to us.”