Which instrument did the National Defense Act authorize to regulate exports including oil?

• A. Import tariffs
• B. Export controls
• C. Price ceilings
• D. Manufacturing quotas

Answer: (B)

Export controls are the regulatory tool used to manage what can be sent abroad, including oil. When a National Defense Act authorizes export controls, it empowers the government to require licenses, impose restrictions on end-users and destinations, and enforce penalties for violations. This framework protects national security and helps ensure essential resources aren’t diverted to adversaries or unstable actors during crises. Other options address different aims: tariffs tax imports, price ceilings set domestic prices, and manufacturing quotas limit domestic production, not the regulation of exports themselves.