I'm just going by what your story said. The DOE is sitting on exports to countries that have erected trade barriers against us. No barriers, no holdups. As for the time it takes to remove those barriers, I would say that's up to the country who wants our LNG. It's their actions that are the impediment, not our's. If they want our imports that much then they can change their trade policy in other areas and smooth the way.
Again, in order for your “simple” solution to happen, years of negotiation must take place. Failing that, a law written in 1938 must be repealed. Good luck with that.