The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) can enhance EU-US cooperation by providing a forum for both sides to proactively work through new and emerging issues that arise from the transformation of our economies, including the pervasive impact of new technologies, the digitisation of trade and supply-chain resilience. One of the areas, where the EU-US TTC can and should strive to achieve immediate results is on export controls. In our paper, we outline priority issues and key recommendations to improve cooperation on export controls within the TTC. Our recommendations focus on a harmonised EU-US export control regime, the removal of non-tariff barriers, pre-defined export control frameworks, the promotion of legal certainty, collaborative export frameworks for joint R&D as well as coordination on intangible technology and software transfers.
Export Controls under the Trade and Technology Council
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Export controls fit for today's economy
The Dual-Use Regulation gives Europe a common framework for economic security, but divergent national implementation is weakening it. The same transaction can be assessed differently depending on the Member State, with guidance on cloud and software-as-a-service transfers remains unclear. Licensing processes, meanwhile, still assume a physical consignment rather than digital workflows, which sits poorly with how integrated global businesses operate. Companies bear the added cost and legal uncertainty, while the security benefit is limited. A single EU-wide approach to intangible transfers and closer alignment with the US and UK would make controls more predictable and let authorities focus on genuine risks. Read how the revision of the Dual-Use Regulation can deliver a harmonised and future-proof framework for Europe.
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Insights and advocacy driving Europe’s policy agenda. Our priorities support growth, innovation and a stronger transatlantic economy.
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