Obama to Lift Arms Trade Rule That Targeted Foreigners, Dual-Nationals

(Carl Meyer — Embassy Magazine)

The Obama administration is moving to scrap a controversial rule that forced Canadian companies working on or handling American weapons technology to identify employees born in or holding citizenship from designated countries.

The decision has been well-received by Canadian officials as well as companies based here, who have been trying to work around the strict regulations for years—reportedly with mixed success.

"They're going to move in the same direction that Canada's looking for, for dealing with dual nationals and working on security-cleared materials," said Chris Hilton, director of communications for Public Works and Government Services Canada minister Rona Ambrose. "This is a big step for us."

On March 11, US President Barack Obama announced he is moving forward with his plan to reform US export controls. Part of that reform is said to include revisions to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Read more here.