There are debates raging in other places about the direction government policy should take. You can find more information on the US situation in my crypto backgrounder. In fact an international agreement exists called the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies. This agreement aims to block access by certain countries to strong cryptography. These countries include North Korea and Libya.
Strong cryptography is treated the same way as a range of military equipment and weapons.
If you are interested in finding out more about rules and laws that apply in other countries, there is an excellent summary of foreign laws and international arrangements .