Letter Emphasizes the Need to Address Emerging Threats While Minimizing Supply Chain Disruptions, Protecting America’s Global Competitiveness
Washington, D.C. – TechNet, the national, bipartisan network of tech industry CEOs and senior executives, submitted a comment to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) related to its investigation under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 regarding the effects on national security of imports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their parts and components. The letter encouraged BIS to work closely with industry to mitigate any risks to the U.S. supply chain that could harm America’s global competitiveness.
“As drone operations and applications increase, it is critical that the U.S. government and industry work together to identify and address potential supply chain vulnerabilities and eliminate risks posed by foreign adversaries without hindering America’s global competitiveness in the drone industry,” the letter states. “While U.S. companies pursue strategies to reduce reliance on foreign-manufactured drones and component parts, any tariff actions taken based on the findings of this investigation should be phased in over time and geared toward minimizing supply chain disruptions that could harm American innovation at a critical time for commercial drone manufacturers and operators.”
The letter also asked BIS to support expansion of domestic manufacturing capacity for UAS and drone components and to consider the potential financial burden of cost increases for specialized parts that have suppliers concentrated outside of the U.S.
A full text of the letter can be read here.