Biden taps ex-Pentagon official for China tech position in Bureau of Industry and Security
- The once-obscure bureau in the Commerce Department has gained attention as Washington escalated its use of export controls against China
- The entity list overseen by the BIS has been the primary tool for blacklisting firms like Huawei, ZTE, and Hikvision, among others
The post in the Commerce Department’s once-obscure Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) gained attention in recent years as Washington has escalated its use of export controls to keep China from obtaining US technology.
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Estevez, now an executive with Deloitte Consulting, had a 36-year-career with the Department of Defence. During the Obama administration, he represented the department on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews investments for national security.
“He’s a very solid guy,” said Eric Hirschhorn, who served as the Obama administration’s undersecretary for industry and security.
Estevez, who did not respond to requests for comment, does not have an extensive public record on China export issues. This may help him win confirmation in the US Senate where China hawks have been quick to attack other Biden nominees.
His Defence Department career included serving as principal deputy undersecretary of defence for acquisition, technology and logistics, according to his Deloitte biography, and he was involved in supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Hurricane Sandy relief.
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“Alan Estevez is a distinguished public servant with decades of experience in national security,” an administration official, who did not want to be identified, said in a statement.
“Under his leadership, BIS will continue to bolster our export control and investment screening efforts to protect our national security and ensure America can compete and win in the 21st century,” the official said.
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US suppliers are banned from selling to companies on the list without licenses, which are difficult to obtain.
But Wolf drew criticism from China hawks this year because, after leaving government, he joined a law firm where he has counselled US semiconductor and other high tech-companies on getting licenses to export to Chinese companies such as Huawei.
“The White House should be embarrassed for not going with Kevin Wolf,” said William Reinsch, another former undersecretary of Commerce. “This guy is fine, but everyone knows Kevin’s the best guy for the job.”
