US finalising rules to limit sensitive technology exports to China and other rivals, report says
- Washington aims for regulations covering overseas sales of products such as quantum computers that will satisfy national security and US exporters
- Document says commerce department was involved in wide consultation
Officials were putting the finishing touches to five rules covering products such as quantum computing and 3D printing technologies that were mandated by a 2018 law to keep sensitive technologies out of the hands of rival powers, it said.
Before drafting the rules, the commerce department sought industry comment last year on hi-tech sectors that it could cover under the law, from artificial intelligence technology to robotics. That fuelled concerns among US businesses that broad, tough regulations would stymie exports to key customers.
But the document showed that the commerce department was finishing a first batch of rules that touched on just a few technologies that will be proposed to international bodies before taking effect, a reprieve for US companies.
“Based on their titles, the rules appear to be narrowly tailored to address specific national security issues, which should go a long way to calming the nerves of those in industry concerned that the administration would impose controls over broad categories of widely available technologies,” said Kevin Wolf, a former assistant secretary of commerce for export administration.