Sanctions have become a preferred policy option, not a measure of last resort. Unfortunately, our high tech industry is usually the biggest loser. We must seek much closer consultations between the Congress and the Executive Branch on sanctions issues. And we must ensure that any future sanctions are in fact effective and do not undermine our foreign and commercial policy interests without any benefit. Our mission at the Commerce Department, as carried out by BXA, is to promote both national security and U.S. exports.
National security is the highest priority.
I know you all recognize and share, whatever the impact on the bottom line. Nonetheless, questions have been raised about certain licensing decisions on satellites. They involve whether export control laws were violated when American satellites were launched by Chinese rockets. This is being investigated by the Congress. If there was wrongdoing, it should be punished.