Coalition asks Obama to press export control reform

Coalition asks Obama to press export control reform    Frustrated by earlier failed legislative attempts to reform the country's Cold War-era export control, a coalition of large industry association has asked President Obama to take charge.
   'From our experience with previous efforts at export control reform, we are convinced that only presidential leadership and continuing engagement by senior government leaders will lead to meaningful and lasting improvements,' wrote the Coalition for Security and Competitiveness in a letter to President Obama on Monday.
   'With such high-level direction, reforms could be made that would enable the U.S. to maintain its technological leadership and thereby strengthen our national security,' the coalition said.
   The coalition members include the Coalition for Employment through Exports, National Foreign Trade Council, USA*Engage, Aerospace Industries Association, American Association of Exporters and Importers, Association for Manufacturing Technology, The Business Roundtable, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Industrial Fastener Institute, National Association of Manufacturers, National Defense Industrial Association, Satellite Industry Association, The Space Foundation, Tech-America, and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Reinsch

   These industry groups have argued for years that export control regulations desperately require updating.
   'The United States needs a 21st century export control system and administrative procedures that carefully balance our national security and ability to maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global economy,' said National Foreign Trade Council President Bill Reinsch, a former Commerce Department undersecretary for export administration in the Clinton administration. 'That balance can be achieved, but we first have to take the appropriate steps toward substantive reform.' ' Chris Gillis