Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to Section 1.3 2. of the UK-US Atlantic Declaration, what progress he has made on (a) enabling the UK and US export controls toolkits to work in a complementary way, (b) implementing export controls related to certain sensitive technologies, (c) targeting end-uses of concern, and (d) tackling the challenge of intangible transfers.

We are committed to ensuring our export controls develop to address risks to national security and international peace and security posed by emerging technologies, while supporting UK exporters in strategically important sectors.

Building on the commitments in the UK-US Atlantic Declaration, defence trade collaboration between the UK, US, and Australia was announced in August 2024, through the publication of the UK’s AUKUS Nations Open General Licence, and the new exemption to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) for the UK. This development recognised the compatibility of our respective export controls systems, lifting key restrictions and allowing our defence firms to work together even more closely.

In line with our commitments in the Atlantic Declaration, the UK is also working closely with our partners on the challenge of intangible transfers and targeting of end-uses users of concern.