Utah Valley Times

On April 10, 2024, U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, alongside Senator Maggie Hassan, led a bipartisan hearing focused on strengthening the enforcement of export controls to protect national security and prevent adversaries from acquiring American-developed technology.

During the hearing, Senator Romney emphasized the importance of improving export controls enforcement efforts, stating, "The United States leads the world in technological innovation. While we strive to maintain that position, we must also remain cautious of our adversaries, especially China and Russia." He highlighted the need for effective collaboration between government entities, the private sector, and allies to prevent sensitive technologies from reaching adversaries.

Senator Romney raised concerns about the leakage of sensitive technologies, particularly in relation to AI and defense technologies, questioning the extent of the problem. He also inquired about the effectiveness of controlling the supply of chips necessary for AI operations, citing potential breaches in software control.

In response to Senator Romney's questions, experts at the hearing discussed the challenges of preventing illicit trade and the importance of allocating resources for effective enforcement. Ms. Eun Young Choi emphasized the need for robust data analytics capabilities to combat the transfer of restricted technologies, while Mr. Kevin Kurland committed to aggressive enforcement of new actions.

Mr. James Mancuso highlighted the investigative role of agencies like HSI in disrupting the flow of sensitive technology and stressed the importance of today's hearing in underscoring the significance of export controls enforcement.

The bipartisan effort led by Senators Romney and Hassan aims to bolster the Export Enforcement Coordination Center and enhance coordination among key agencies responsible for export control enforcement. As discussions continue on how to combat the challenges posed by adversaries exploiting loopholes in export controls, the Senate hearing serves as a crucial platform for addressing these pressing national security concerns.