Export controls and investment screening are taking centre stage in the United States as Washington attempts to protect military and industrial advantages against China while simultaneously exploiting commercial opportunities for its high-tech industries and expanding technological cooperation with allies and partners. Within this complex policy context, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are seeking greater harmonisation of national export control systems to unlock new defence and technology trade opportunities and deliver on the AUKUS partnership.
These developments raise critical questions for Australian stakeholders. What is the state of play for export controls in the United States, and what can we expect under a second Trump Administration? Will we see alignment on export controls between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia? And what does this all mean for Australia and the AUKUS enterprise?
To address these questions, the United States Studies Centre hosted a webinar with Kevin J. Wolf, Partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and a former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration under the first and second Obama Administrations (2010–17). Mr Wolf has more than 30 years’ experience advising on export controls, sanctions, and international trade, with expertise in US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
This conversation was hosted by Tom Corben, Research Fellow in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the United States Studies Centre. Mr Corben is the co-author of Breaking the barriers: Reforming US export controls to realise the potential of AUKUS and AUKUS enablers? Assessing defence trade control reforms in Australia and the United States.
This event is made possible with funding from the US State Department.
As US-China technology competition intensifies, governments across the world are keeping a tighter grip on the advanced semiconductor chips, AI models, and investments that underpin AI. This is complicated by the fact that the private sector — not government — is at the cutting edge of AI and associated technology innovations. With emerging technology now considered central to national security, both government and the private sector must find new ways to coordinate and collaborate.
What impact will the new Trump administration have on US-China competition? Are the controls around semiconductor chips and AI models a sustainable approach? How can governments coordinate their export controls, investment screening and other regulation efforts? Will we gradually see international alignment on these issues – what are the current barriers?
To unpack these questions, the United States Studies Centre brought together an esteemed panel:
Moderating the discussion was Hayley Channer, the Director of the Economic Security Program with the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Hayley has a diverse background having worked as an Australian Government official, Ministerial adviser, think tank analyst, and represented global non-profit organisations.
On Monday, 20 January 2025, President-elect Donald Trump was sworn in as 47th President of the United States. He has said he’ll end the war in Ukraine before he takes office and war continues to escalate in the Middle East. Australia itself will host a federal election in 2025 which may shift international relationships.
What sort of impact would Trump’s economic, trade, and technology policies have on Australian businesses? How do the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East impact the Indo-Pacific? What are the key international watch points for Australia in 2025?
To discuss these issues and provide a briefing on geopolitical trends and what they mean for government and business, United States Studies Centre (USSC) CEO Dr Michael Green and Director of Economic Security Hayley Channer hosted a public briefing followed by audience Q&A.
In 2017, the first Donald Trump administration revived the Quad partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the United States after years of inactivity. Now, as the second Trump administration begins to take shape, the Quad continues to enjoy bipartisan support in all four countries and it seems the grouping is here to stay.
The partnership has become a key pillar of diplomatic architecture in our region. But despite this goodwill and strong foundation, the Quad has sometimes struggled to articulate a clear mission, and its future agenda will need to deliver meaningful impact in the Indo-Pacific.
The United States Studies Centre hosted a public panel event following a day of closed-door discussions at the Quad Leadership Track-1.5 Dialogue. Panelists answered key questions facing the Quad on topics such as critical technology, climate and the energy transition, and maritime security, and discussed the future of the Quad partnership itself as a new US presidential administration prepares to take office.
The event featured leading experts on the Quad, including USSC CEO Dr Michael Green, USSC Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr Lavina Lee, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Nonresident Scholar, South Asia Program Darshana Baruah and Aoyama-Gakuin University Lecturer Dr Takuya Matsuda in conversation with Matthew Knott, Foreign Affairs and National Security Correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age discussing the Quad's challenges, possible solutions, opportunities for collaboration and the Quad's future agenda.
The Indian Ocean Region brims with economic promise, yet it faces growing challenges — from inadequate infrastructure to fierce geoeconomic competition. As China deepens its presence through the Belt and Road Initiative, Australia and India are poised to offer a resilient and strategic alternative.
This event featured inaugural Maitri Fellow Riya Sinha in conversation with USSC Economic Security Director Hayley Channer, discussing opportunities for India and Australia to collaborate on Indian Ocean port linkages, supply chains and sustainable development.
They discussed practical ways to create a competitive edge that not only advances each country’s interests but also benefits the broader regional landscape.
Riya Sinha's Maitri Fellowship is generously supported by the Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR).
The 2024 presidential race is already emerging as one of the most important elections of our generation, and could shape Australia’s foreign policy for years to come. So what can we expect?
On 24 October 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted an exclusive event in partnership with The Sydney Morning Herald. SMH editor Bevan Shields, political and international editor Peter Hartcher and columnist and senior writer Jacqueline Maley were joined by USSC experts, Chief Executive Officer Dr Michael Green, who previously served on the National Security Council at the White House from 2001 to 2005, and Director of Research Jared Mondschein.
We are increasingly living our lives in cyberspace — from global banking and financial transactions, to managing critical infrastructure and supply chains, to social media. With more government, business and public interactions happening online, coupled with concentrated strategic competition, there are more nefarious state-backed and rogue cyber actors seeking to take advantage of this.
What could cyber and national security policy look like under a first Harris administration or second Trump administration and what could this mean for the region? What implications do the major cyber incidents of the last two years — from the Russia–Ukraine conflict to the Volt Typhoon campaign — have for countries around the world and for Australian businesses? How has US cyber, intelligence and technology policy evolved?
The USSC held an event featuring Admiral (ret) Mike Rogers, a senior US expert on cybersecurity and geopolitics. Admiral Rogers is the former Director of the US National Security Agency and former Commander of US Cyber Command. Admiral Rogers brings deep knowledge and experience, having served both President Obama and President Trump in shaping US cyber, intelligence and technology policy between 2014 and 2018.
Admiral Rogers was joined by John Barron, renowned ABC journalist and co-host of Planet America.
The discussion considered how to tackle some of the most pressing cyber and national security challenges of our time.
This event was run in collaboration with CyberCX.
An eye-opening exploration of the intersection between folk music and political activism, writer and historian Aaron J. Leonard dived into the lives of some of the 20th century’s most influential folk singers—Woody Guthrie, ‘Sis Cunningham, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, and Burl Ives—and their contentious relationship with the US government. These artists weren’t just cultural icons, but also outspoken political activists, closely monitored by the FBI and targeted for their associations with the US Communist Party.
Through rare video clips, news clippings, and declassified files obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, Leonard uncovered the intense surveillance and suppression these artists faced.
Aaron J. Leonard, author of Heavy Radicals: The Secret War on America’s Maoists and The Folk Singers and the Bureau, brought these stories to life in a compelling presentation. The event concluded with a conversation led by Associate Professor Charles Fairchild (Sydney Conservatorium of Music), giving participants the chance to engage directly with these powerful narratives.
The United States Studies Centre held a discussion hosted by Lecturer in American Studies and political scientist, Dr Kathryn Robison. This webinar featured a panel of leading experts who shared their knowledge and perspectives on critical aspects of the US election for use in the classroom and beyond.
Topics discussed:
The event was attended by high school teachers, educators, and anyone keen to deepen their understanding of the US election process. Attendees received a resource sheet aimed at high school students and teachers.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
The final session featured opening remarks by Jan Adams AO PSM, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, followed by a panel discussion moderator by Professor Peter Dean, Director, Foreign Policy and Defence, United States Studies Centre, with panellists Jan Adams AO PSM, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; =Yasuo Takamura, Cabinet Councillor, National Security Secretariat, Government of Japan
Senator Dave Sharma, Senator for New South Wales; and Dr Elizabeth Economy, Hargrove Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
In session 8, opening remarks were provided by Dr Daniel Yergin, Vice-Chairman of S&P Global (by video-link) with further remarks given by Paul Everingham, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association. Then followed a panel discussion moderated by Matthew Warren, Principal, Boardroom Energy, and featuring Tania Constable PSM, Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Council of Australia; Meg McDonald, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, United States Studies Centre and Member of the NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board; and Paul Everingham, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives, and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
In session 7, opening remarks were provided by Emily Kilcrease, Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy, Economics and Security Program, Center for a New American Security. Further remarks were given by Mike Yeh, Regional Vice President, Corporate External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Asia. Then followed a panel discussion, moderated by Helen Mitchell, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre; Professor Kazuto Suzuki, Director, Economic Security, Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan and Professor of Science and Technology Policy, Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo; and Emily Kilcrease, Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy, Economics and Security Program, Center for a New American Security
Mike Yeh, Regional Vice President, Corporate External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Asia.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
The conference dinner featured a discussion between Andrew Shearer, Director-General, Office of National Intelligence; Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary, Department of Industry, Science and Resources; and David Fredericks PSM, Secretary, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. The discussion was moderated by Dr Michael Green, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Studies Centre. Welcome remarks were provided by Mark Baillie, Chairman of the United States Studies Centre.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
Session 6 was delivered in four parts:
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
Session 5 featured a keynote address from Tadashi Maeda, Chairman of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, followed by a discussion between Tadashi Maeda and Dr Michael Green, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Studies Centre.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
Session 4 was moderated by The Honourable Arthur Sinodinos AO, Partner at The Asia Group and former Australian Ambassador to the United States, and featured panellists Ziad Haider, Global Director of Geopolitical Risk, McKinsey & Company; Dr Sally Auld, Chief Investment Officer, JBWere; and Neville Power, Chairman of Future Battery Minerals, Deputy Chairman of Strike Energy and former Chair of the Australian Government’s National COVID-19 Coordination Commission.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
A keynote address was provided by Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary to the Australian Treasury.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
Session 3 featured a keynote address by Dr Elizabeth Economy, Hargrove Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University. A panel discussion followed, moderated by Dr John Kunkel, Senior Economics Adviser at the United States Studies Centre, and featuring experts Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow for East Asia, Lowy Institute and Dr Elizabeth Economy, Hargrove Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
Session 2's opening remarks were provided by Professor Kazuto Suzuki, Director, Economic Security, Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan and Professor of Science and Technology Policy, Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Hayley Channer, Director of the Economic Security Program at the United States Studies Centre, and featuring Dr Yunjong Wang, Deputy National Security Advisor for Economic and Cyber Security in the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea; Jonathan Fritz, Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, US Department of State; and Professor Kazuto Suzuki, Director, Economic Security, Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan and Professor of Science and Technology Policy, Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Tokyo.
On 19 and 20 June 2024, the United States Studies Centre hosted a major international conference in Sydney spotlighting the search for “economic security in a turbulent world”. Over a day and a half, the conference brought together leading policymakers, business executives and independent experts from around the world to discuss arguably the defining economic policy debate of our age – how to reconcile security and prosperity in an era of strategic competition and economic interdependence.
In session 1, Alan Beattie, Senior Trade Writer for the Financial Times delivered a keynote address. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr Michael Green, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Studies Centre, and featuring Ziad Haider, Global Director of Geopolitical Risk, McKinsey & Company; Emily Kilcrease, Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy, Economics and Security Program, Center for a New American Security; and Alan Beattie, Senior Trade Writer, Financial Times.
