Project on Trade and Technology

The Project on Trade and Technology conducts original research on export controls, investment screening, economic statecraft, and technology alliances

Definitions of national security and economic security are increasingly concentric, resulting in profound changes to how the United States engages with the world. In tandem, issues like technology competition and export controls are playing an increasingly prominent role in foreign affairs, moving to the forefront of geopolitics. The Project on Trade and Technology researches these shifts and crafts policy roadmaps to enable the United States and its allies to capitalize on these seismic changes. Specific topics include:

  • Export Controls, Outbound Investment Screening, and other Trade Tools
  • Multilateral export control regimes
  • The Geopolitics of Trade and Technology
  • Allied Economic Engagement
  • Technology Alliances and Great Power Competition
  • Semiconductor Supply Chains
  • Emerging and Disruptive Technologies such as AI, Quantum Technology, and Biotechnology

As the world shifts towards an increasingly multipolar reality, crafting the right policies can better position the United States to capitalize on these changes, enhancing its national and economic security, while future-proofing its technology alliances.

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Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates. 

Emily Benson

Emily Benson

Emily Benson

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Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Optimizing Export Controls for Critical and Emerging Technologies

When it comes to export controls on critical and emerging technologies, the United States must focus on regulating items essential to national security while permitting the growth of industries that do not aid foreign military capabilities.

Report by William Alan Reinsch , Emily Benson , Thibault Denamiel , and Margot Putnam — May 31, 2023

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Recent Analysis

Photo: Jim Dyson/Getty Images

Photo: Jim Dyson/Getty Images

Evaluating Europe's Economic Security Strategy

A new CSIS commentary evaluates a growing convergence in transatlantic approaches within an evolving geopolitical environment that increasingly centers policy around economic security issues.

Commentary by Federico Steinberg and Emily Benson — July 13, 2023

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Evaluating Europe's Economic Security Strategy

A new CSIS commentary evaluates a growing convergence in transatlantic approaches within an evolving geopolitical environment that increasingly centers policy around economic security issues.

Commentary by Federico Steinberg and Emily Benson — July 13, 2023

Key Takeaways from the TTC Ministerial in Sweden

The meeting of U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) on May 30 and 31 has produced progress in key areas of emerging technology, but onlookers should not take the continued existence of the TTC for granted.

Critical Questions by Catharine Mouradian and Emily Benson — June 8, 2023

Optimizing Export Controls for Critical and Emerging Technologies

When it comes to export controls on critical and emerging technologies, the United States must focus on regulating items essential to national security while permitting the growth of industries that do not aid foreign military capabilities.

Report by William Alan Reinsch , Emily Benson , Thibault Denamiel , and Margot Putnam — May 31, 2023

The United States Prepares to Screen Outbound Investment

The Biden administration is likely to release an executive order establishing an outbound investment screening mechanism. Combined with broadening export controls, screening outbound capital flows underscores a new frontier in economic security and technology policy.

Commentary by Emily Benson and Margot Putnam — April 27, 2023

Export Controls and Intangible Goods

The intangible goods economy is replete with AI systems and spyware, but the current export control system has not kept up. The United States and multilateral systems merit a significant upgrade, particularly to deal with intangible goods flows.

Critical Questions by Emily Benson and Margot Putnam — April 11, 2023

The Limits of “Friend-Shoring”

Transatlantic geopolitical authority seems to have consolidated considerably in recent months, but it remains to be seen whether emerging differences represent long-term fissures that could grow or if external factors will make these temporary disagreements obsolete.

Report by Emily Benson and Ethan B. Kapstein — February 1, 2023

APEC 2023: An Old Foundation for New Architectures

In 2023, the United States will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. In the face of growing influence of the G20, APEC could benefit from a major infusion of support.

Critical Questions by Japhet Quitzon and Emily Benson — January 31, 2023

Beyond Bicycles: A New Momentum behind Environmental Goods Negotiations?

Negotiations on the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) collapsed in 2016. However, given the global momentum behind combating climate change, climate and trade constituencies have begun to revisit the need for a fresh round of negotiations.

Critical Questions by Emily Benson — January 26, 2023