New U.S. Policy Regarding Nuclear Exports to China
Abstract
On October 11, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy(DOE) announced measures to prevent Chinas illegal diversion of U.S. civil nuclear technology for military or other unauthorized purposes. These measures, which took effect immediately, include additional restrictions on U.S.-origin nuclear-related exports to China; such exports require a specific export license or other authorization. Nuclear industry groups have raised concerns about the new policys limits on future access to the Chinese market, though the effect of the new policy on nuclear cooperation is unclear. The United States has extensive nuclear cooperation with China, which is governed by a civil nuclear cooperation agreement renewed in 2015. These agreements are commonly known as 123 agreements after the relevant section of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. (For more information, see CRS Report RL33192, U.S.-China Nuclear Cooperation Agreement.) The Trump Administration devised the new policy after a National Security Council led review of the previous U.S. policy regarding civil nuclear cooperation with China, according to a U.S. government official speaking during an October 11background briefing. The review, which began in 2017,was prompted by Chinas accelerated efforts to acquire U.S. intellectual property and advanced technology, including through illicit means to benefit its military programs as well as to gain a competitive advantage to the detriment of U.S. businesses and U.S. national security, the official said.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 17, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1170136
Entities
People
- Mary Beth D. Nikitin
- Paul K. Kerr
Organizations
- Library of Congress