US Commerce Dept says export controls to align with security review legislation

WASHINGTON: The US Commerce Department said on Friday it has begun a review of export controls that will be aligned with new legislation to strengthen national security reviews of foreign acquisitions of American firms rather than China-specific curbs.

In a statement to Reuters, the department said the review would establish changes to the controls "based on risks associated with particular technologies, destinations and end-uses among other relevant factors."

The shift of focus for export controls from China-specific curbs to a broader set of tightened controls based on language in the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act follows President Donald Trump's decision on Wednesday to do the same for investment restrictions.