Commerce Department Easing Rules: The Commerce Department...

Commerce Department Easing Rules: The Commerce Department said it was easing security rules on the sale of up to $30 billion worth of goods a year to 18 large trading countries. The rules are designed to keep strategic products out of the hands of the Soviet Union and its allies. The countries affected by the change are: Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Denmark, West Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Britain, Australia, Switzerland and Finland. Goods affected are those that can be used for civilian or military purposes and include most kinds of computers, telephone switching equipment and some machine tools. Commerce Department licenses will no longer be required to export those goods, nor will the 18 governments have to ask U.S. permission to re-export the goods to one another.