On March 30, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Mira Radielovic Ricardel to the position of Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration.[1] After nearly a full month, the nomination was sent to the Senate for confirmation on April 28, 2017.[2] If confirmed, the Croatian-American will lead the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry ("BIS"), which administers the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and its Commerce Control List of sensitive "dual-use goods" and technology.[3] According to BIS' mission statement, this role will entrust Ricardel with advancing "national security, foreign policy, and economic objectives by ensuring an effective export control and treaty compliance system and promoting continued U.S. strategic technology leadership."

Ms. Ricardel, who was named a member of Trump's defense transition team in November, previously served as acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy after serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Eurasia. After her time in the Department of Defense, Ms. Ricardel held several leadership positions within Boeing Defense, Space, and Security, including the title of Vice President of International Business Development, Network and Space Systems. In 2015, she also wrote an opinion piece advocating for the United States to adopt a global missile defense plan.[4]

Ms. Ricardel's experience in both government and the private sector should serve her well in a position that is tasked not only with supporting national defense, but also ensuring the competitiveness of U.S. industry. She will also be the most prominent voice in determining the future of the Export Control Reform initiative, which began during the Obama administration.

Upon confirmation, Ms. Ricardel will fill the role formerly held by Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Eric Hirschhorn, which has been vacant since Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017.

Footnotes

[1] President Donald J. Trump Announces Key Administration Posts, Office of the Press Secretary, The White House (Mar. 30, 2017), available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/30/president-donald-j-trump-announces-key-administration-posts.

[2] Five Nominations Sent to the Senate, Office of the Press Secretary, The White House (April 28, 2017), available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/04/28/five-nominations-sent-senate.

[3] "Dual-use" items generally are those having both commercial and military or proliferation applications.

[4] Mira Ricardel, America Needs a Global Missile Defense Plan, The Hill (Sept. 30, 2015, 12:30 PM), http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/homeland-security/255375-america-needs-a-global-missile-defense-plan.

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