Lawmakers Seek Tighter Export Controls on Foreign Intel

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is pressing the Commerce Department to finalize rules that would bar Americans and U.S. firms from providing technology or technical assistance to civilian intelligence and security agencies of foreign adversaries, citing gaps left by existing law. They argue that current rules, crafted to curb support for foreign military intelligence, do not close the loopholes that allow civilian agencies in China, Russia and other countries to hire consultants and buy advanced surveillance, cyber, and AI tools from U.S. companies. The push highlights past incidents, including a 2019 Reuters report on UAE hires of former U.S. operatives and ongoing concerns about recruitment and insider information risks. The effort is led by Senators Ron Wyden and John Cornyn, with support from a bipartisan group of lawmakers, and comes as talks of a Xi Jinping visit to Washington loom over U.S. policy on technology transfers. Lawmakers say a 2022 expansion to export controls remains unimplemented, leaving what they call “glaring loopholes” that could undermine national security and U.S. foreign policy interests under the Trump administration. The letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick underlines the urgency of tightening controls on surveillance, cyber, and AI technologies before diplomatic engagements with China escalate tensions.