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Chair urges State–Commerce coordination as American AI export program rolls out
Summary
At a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing, the chair said close coordination between the State Department and Commerce is essential to advance the American AI export program while protecting national security, and cited Michigan's $58 billion in exports and the predominance of small and medium exporters.
At a subcommittee hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the chair opened an afternoon session on export promotion by urging closer coordination between the State Department and the Department of Commerce to both protect national security and expand market access for U.S. firms.
"America First means ensuring that America's economic interests are at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy," the chair said, adding that "economic security is national security." He said this tension—safeguarding sensitive technologies while promoting exports—frames the administration's approach.
The chair cited Michigan as an example of the stakes involved, saying the state exported $58,000,000,000 in goods in 2025 and that automobiles, components, chemicals, agricultural products and office furniture are major contributors. He added that three of the world's largest office furniture manufacturers are located in Michigan and that they "support an estimated 230,000 jobs." He also said 89% of Michigan firms that export have fewer than 500 employees.
On policy, the chair described the administration's two-pronged American AI export strategy: first, use export controls to "prevent American AI from fueling China's military modernization," and second, promote adoption of U.S. AI technologies by making it easier for partners, allies and emerging markets to build with American systems. "The American AI export program is the landmark initiative to deliver on the promoting prong of the strategy," he said, and named the Foreign Commercial Service as the lead agency for worldwide implementation.
The chair introduced the session's witnesses as Assistant Secretary for Global Markets Mr. Fogel and Assistant Secretary for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs Mr. Rohr, saying they lead export-promotion efforts across Commerce and State. He closed by thanking the witnesses and saying he looked forward to their testimony on how the two departments will execute the mission for U.S. businesses.
The hearing continued with witness testimony following the chair's opening remarks.
