Matt Axelrod, Justin duRivage, and Dharak Bhavsar Examine Export Controls as a Geopolitical Tool in Dow Jones Risk Journal

Article  |  September 10, 2025

Dow Jones Risk Journal

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Writing in the Dow Jones Risk Journal (subscription required), partner Matt Axelrod and associates Justin duRivage and Dharak Bhavsar explore the emergence of export controls as a strategic geopolitical tool for advancing U.S. foreign policy and national security under the second Trump administration.

They examine the Justice Department and Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) evolving enforcement focus on export controls — with large corporations being increasingly targeted. To maintain compliance with the shifting enforcement landscape, the article urges companies to “take a more intentional approach in assessing their enforcement risk and compliance posture,” including a review of export compliance programs to ensure they capture relevant regulatory requirements and reflect this new era of heightened enforcement risk.