Obama Export Control Reform Research

Export control means a national checkup and control action to an exportapplication put forward by a domestic firm or an individual according to national lawsand policies. Through export control system, the governments can effectivelyimplement foreign policy, maintain national security and protect economic benefits.The items controlled including munitions, dual-use items and WMD. The methods ofexport control include multilateral nonproliferation regimes, national export controlsystem, and internal compliance program.American export control system has a long history which can date back toAmerican Revolution. The system used now is rooted in the Cold War over60yearsago and must be updated to address threats America faces today and the changingeconomic and technological landscape. In August2009, President Obama directed abroad-based interagency review of the U.S. export control system and started theexport control reform (ECR). The purpose of ECR is to put “higher fences aroundfewer items.” The key elements of ECR are the “Four Singularities”, which means asingle licensing agency, a single control list, a single enforcement structure and asingle information technology system. ECR would be implemented in three phases.Until now, certain items have been removed from USML to CCL, the ExportEnforcement Coordination Center (EECC) has been created, and the IT systemcurrently used by the Department of Defense is being expanded to Department ofState and Department of Commerce. ECR has a clear frame and focuses on thehighlights. America tries its best to benefit allies in this reform. But ECR still has anuncertain outlook.China has been highly focused in this reform. The control of items exporting toChina will be stricter. It will not contribute to expanding bilateral trade, and causecertain impact on Chinese enterprises’ exporting and innovation ability. The Chinesegovernment, research institutions and enterprises should take measures before it is toolate.