This paper examines the ongoing debate over whether the United States should continue selling nuclear technology to foreign nations. It traces the economic motivations of major American corporations such as Westinghouse, Bechtel, and General Electric, which depend on overseas markets — particularly China — for revenue. The paper also considers strategic arguments, including the use of technology sharing to build alliances and regulate nuclear proliferation in post-Soviet states. Against these claims, the paper presents the security case for restricting exports, citing documented cases of dual-use technology misuse by China, clandestine nuclear smuggling networks, and the risk that sensitive materials could reach rogue states or terrorist organizations.
The sale of United States nuclear technology to other countries has drawn increasing criticism, especially in light of the September 11 attacks and the subsequent war against Iraq. Despite these security concerns, many corporations still advocate repealing federal laws that restrict the sale of such technology to countries such as China. This paper examines the pros and cons of both positions, paying particular attention to the history and ramifications of continued nuclear technology exports.
Common perception holds that foreign countries like China, Pakistan, and Algeria are the main drivers behind demand for U.S. nuclear technology. However, many American companies — including Westinghouse, Bechtel, and General Electric — actively support allowing the export of American nuclear technology and components to countries such as China.
For these companies, the reasons are primarily economic. Domestic demand for nuclear technology decreased drastically during the environmentally conscious 1990s, forcing many nuclear energy companies to look abroad for new markets. An official at ABB Combustion Engineering, for example, stated that the survival of many such companies depends on their ability to open plants in China — a move that could generate at least $40 billion for these struggling industries. Increasingly, the American nuclear industry has had to look outside the country for growth, with China alone representing 50 to 75% of the new global market for nuclear technology.
Proponents of lifting trade restrictions also argue that, when used judiciously, sharing nuclear technology with friendly countries can foster stronger national ties — ties that became especially important as the Bush administration sought to rally support for the war on terrorism.
The Bush administration, for example, considered revising legislation to facilitate the sale of nuclear technology to Indonesia and Pakistan in an effort to secure the support of those two countries. Pakistan represented a potential key ally because of its strategic location near Afghanistan; in exchange for technology sharing, the United States could gain an important staging site for military operations in the Middle East. Indonesia, as the world's most populous Muslim-majority state, was seen as equally valuable in terms of goodwill. Furthermore, supporting China's civilian nuclear development was viewed as a means of enlarging the market for American products and strengthening bilateral economic relations.
"Using exports to manage post-Soviet nuclear risk"
For many critics, the sale of nuclear technology carries dangerous implications for U.S. security interests. In the book Smuggling Armageddon, author Rensselaer Lee traces the smuggling and proliferation of nuclear weapons from Russia to newly independent states. Lee's research has uncovered a clandestine network of professional smugglers who sell dangerous nuclear secrets to third parties. Though Russia denies such activities, Lee raises the disturbing possibility that even legally traded nuclear goods and technologies could ultimately end up in the wrong hands.
In the case of China, there have been documented instances in which the country violated agreements governing "dual-use" technology. Electronic circuits intended for use in oscilloscopes were instead used to analyze nuclear test results. Digital computers and related equipment were repurposed for rocket programs. Current exports of computer-controlled machine tools and laser technology also carry significant potential military applications.
"China's misuse and resale of nuclear materials"
Proponents of sharing nuclear technology believe that such a policy would enhance United States global dominance by fostering goodwill, building stronger ties with strategic allies, and allowing the United States to better regulate nuclear technology in smaller states. However, those who argue against nuclear technology exports warn of the very real possibility that sensitive technology could fall into the hands of rogue nations and terrorist organizations. The tension between these two positions remains central to ongoing debates about nuclear nonproliferation and U.S. foreign policy.
You’re 53% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 2 sections.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.