U.S., France Sign Defense Trade Strategic Dialogue

American and French representatives green lit the U.S.-France Defense Trade Strategic Dialogue at the Eurosatory exhibition being held in Paris today.

The dialogue will help foster a shared view on defense market access and to identify steps to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of export controls. The terms of reference for the U.S.-France Defense Trade Strategic Group (DTSG) were signed by the co-chairs of the DTSG, composed of senior-level members of the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense, and of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The co-chairs intend to meet annually after a second meeting of the co-chairs later this year.

The Formation of the U.S.-France Defense Trade Strategic Group (DTSG) will help achieve the objectives shared by the French and U.S. presidents, the DTSG intends to review topics such as defense market access and the efficiency of transnational acquisitions; export controls – including issues related to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and French export regulations; end-use monitoring programs; and international export control regimes. The DTSG will also consult with the COOP on future discussion topics such as the cyber protection of the defense technical and industrial base.

DTSG plans to draw on existing bilateral cooperation groups, such as the COOP, and on two newly created working groups focused on export control applicability and processes and end-use monitoring programs.  These two working groups are meeting this week in Paris on the margins of the DTSG co-chairs' meeting at the Eurosatory exhibition.