Many of the 47 items on the list, devised to make it harder for Beijing to modernize its military, are already sold to companies in China for civilian use.
A proposed "trusted customer" scheme could make it easier for Chinese firms with good track records to import those items, but the government could play a role too, Chris Padilla, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for export administration, told Reuters.
"We are prepared to engage in what I call 'positive reciprocity' with the Chinese on export controls. Essentially, what that means is if they take a positive step then we're willing to take a positive step too."
The export controls -- which include items such as depleted uranium and some telecoms equipment -- have long been a point of contention in the US relationship with China.
Chinese officials have argued that lifting the controls will significantly narrow a growing trade gap, although Padilla said the effect would be minimal.
Padilla stressed the need for China to make it easier for US inspectors to check that equipment and parts were being used as promised.
"So, when they cooperate with us on doing what we call 'end-use visits', which are inspections by US personnel to make sure that a controlled item is where it's supposed to be, then that helps us to license more of such sensitive items," he said.
The US Commerce Department introduced draft rules in July intended to tighten export controls to China, which is engaged in an expensive, but opaque, overhaul of its massive military.
Padilla said the updated rules, which are under review after a period of public consultation, should be finalized this spring. US national security is a major consideration in the review.
One of the biggest complaints about the rules was that many of the 47 items on the list are already available in China because they are either produced domestically, as with some telecommunications equipment, or sold to China from other countries, Padilla said.
The department would investigate the foreign availability of various items and consider any relative military use before deciding whether to adjust the list, he said, adding however, that foreign availability was not "the determinative factor.' (Reuters)
