BIS Chief Seeks to Limit Wassenaar Participation, Regime Controls

Undersecretary Jeffrey Kessler tells staff he doesn't believe it's his job to implement multilateral export control restrictions.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:00am

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A fractured, abstract painting in muted blues, greys, and greens, representing the complex and interconnected nature of international trade and export controls.As the U.S. weighs withdrawing from a key international export control forum, concerns grow over the country's ability to coordinate with allies on restricting sensitive technologies.Vienna Today

The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is considering withdrawing from the Wassenaar Arrangement, a key international forum used by trading partners to coordinate export controls, according to multiple sources. Undersecretary Jeffrey Kessler has expressed skepticism about multilateral export control regimes and has told BIS staff he doesn't believe it's his job to implement such restrictions alongside other nations.

Why it matters

Withdrawing from Wassenaar would mean BIS loses a valuable platform to influence proposals, gather intelligence, and coordinate with foreign counterparts on export enforcement. Experts warn that unilateral U.S. export controls are less effective than multilateral restrictions that align trading partners.

The details

Kessler told BIS staff during a recent meeting that he wouldn't implement multilateral restrictions that don't align with the Trump administration's agenda. If BIS stops attending Wassenaar, the agency will lose a key forum to coordinate export controls with partners across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. BIS officials will also miss out on opportunities to gather intelligence and share information to aid export enforcement.

  • Late last month, Kessler made the remarks to BIS staff during an all-hands meeting.
  • Around the start of 2026, BIS effectively shut down its technical advisory committees that previously provided Wassenaar recommendations.

The players

Jeffrey Kessler

Undersecretary at the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).

Bill Reinsch

Former senior BIS export administration official and current senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

James Lewis

Former Commerce Department official who helped create the Wassenaar Arrangement, and current senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Emily Benson

Head of strategy at Minerva Technology Futures and former Commerce Department official.

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What they’re saying

“If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.”

— Bill Reinsch, Former senior BIS export administration official

“Don't just pull the plug on Wassenaar until you've sat down to see what you're going to lose. If they can get the same level of coverage without Wassenaar, fine. But a smarter play would be to keep Wassenaar going and reinforce it through separate outside agreements.”

— James Lewis, Former Commerce Department official

“Going it alone will be a completely ineffective and counterproductive approach.”

— Former U.S. official

What’s next

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The takeaway

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