Foreign Policy Quotes Kevin Wolf on Trade Licenses

For its article “Biden’s AUKUS Point Man to Exit,” Foreign Policy quoted Akin international trade partner Kevin Wolf. The article looks at, among other topics related to the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) military alliance, the red tape tied to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that impedes many U.S. technologies that could be exported under the pact. The publication notes that seeking ITAR exemptions has become a burden to officials involved in the AUKUS deal.

Said Kevin, who served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration, “Even with expedited processing in the regulations, it still takes forever to get licenses through. It has become sort of a pathological fear. Anytime there’s a problem with anybody, some will say, ‘Oh, it’s ITAR’s fault. My dinner didn’t arrive on time. [It’s] the ITAR.’ I’m only slightly exaggerating.”