On August 20, 2026, the White House released the National Security Science and Technology Strategy (“NSSTS”), which establishes the Trump administration’s framework for maintaining US technological leadership and protecting critical and emerging technologies. The NSSTS is organized around four pillars: (1) focusing techno-strategic competition, (2) building technological resilience, (3) accelerating innovation, and (4) protecting national security science and technology. For sanctions, export controls, investment screening, and data security practitioners, Pillar 4(Protect National Security S&T) is…
As of October 1, 2025, the US government partially shut down as federal funding lapsed for numerous US government agencies, including those engaged in export controls, sanctions, and foreign investment. As a result, companies should expect licensing processing and reviews to be significantly delayed. Investigative activity and enforcement actions related to US national security, however, will continue as agencies and federal workers deemed “essential” will continue to carry out such operations. Below is an overview…
At the Annual Compliance conference recently held in London, Baker McKenzie hosted a session on ‘The evolving national security, sanctions and export controls landscape’. This session introduced the concept of the “trade toolbox” — a growing set of measures designed to manage national security risks through trade and investment restrictions. Speakers highlighted the increasing complexity of global compliance, particularly in relation to business relating to China, Russia, and in the Middle East. China: outbound investment,…
Join us for a webinar on May 22 where we will examine the U.S. Department of Justice’s final rule on protecting Americans’ sensitive data from foreign adversaries. This groundbreaking regulation, which took effect April 11, 2025, represents a novel approach to U.S. national security concerns related to sensitive data transactions with China, Hong Kong, Macau, Russia and other Countries of Concern and Covered Persons. Drawing from our Primer on the DOJ Final Rule, and Article…