12 Oct (NucNet): The Trump administration will limit sales of US civil nuclear technology to China because of concerns that it is being diverted for military and other unauthorised purposes, the Department of Energy confirmed in a statement.
“The United States cannot ignore the national security implications of China’ efforts to obtain nuclear technology outside of established processes of US-China civil nuclear cooperation,” energy secretary Rick Perry said in the statement.
The decision is the result of a broad government policy review led by the National Security Council and is driven by Beijing’s efforts to obtain advanced technology, nuclear material and equipment from US companies.
The review, which examined the economic and national security ramifications, was prompted by China's efforts to gain US intellectual property, sometimes illicitly, in ways that undermine American businesses and the military, officials told the media.
One administration official said China is “actively pursuing our advanced nuclear technology for diversion to military use in its third-generation nuclear power submarine, in the development of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and in strategic dual use nuclear-powered platforms, such as small modular reactors and floating nuclear power plants deployable in the South China Sea”.
The new policy, which goes into effect immediately, sets guidelines for all existing, pending and future technology transfers to China, administration officials said. They said the US is particularly concerned about technology that can power submarines, aircraft carriers and SMRs that could be used in floating power plants in South China Sea.
US nuclear exports to China amounted to $170m in 2017. The administration carefully weighed the economic impact, an official said, but was acting because it “must first and foremost protect” national security.
