US State Dept 'fully expects' to finalize new AUKUS trade exemptions in next 120 days
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The U.S. State Department expects to finalize new trade exemptions for the AUKUS defense project with Australia and Britain in the next 120 days. The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act requires President Joe Biden to determine within 120 days whether Australia and Britain have export control regimes comparable to the United States. The State Department statement indicated a delay in a positive determination by Biden, but the legislation requires him to revisit the issue in another 120 days. Senior Republican lawmakers expressed concern about delays in AUKUS if Biden did not grant the exemptions. The Commerce Department is scaling back its export-control requirements for Australia and Britain to foster cooperation under AUKUS. AUKUS's first pillar deals with the supply of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, while Pillar II calls for more immediate cooperation in high-tech defense items.
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