International Trade Law News

Australia's The Age newspaper reports that Rear Admiral Raydon Gates, Australia's defense attache in Washington, DC, testified at a hearing held today by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee that Australia will not join the next stage in the development of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) unless the U.S. agrees to provide Australia with access to certain technology controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Similarly, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Lord Peter Drayson, Great Britain’s minister for defense procurement, also told the committee that the United Kingdom will drop plans to purchase the JSF unless it gains access to classified U.S. technology used in developing the aircraft.