Eyeing Canada’s China Nuclear Deal

Eyeing Canada’s China Nuclear Deal

from The Diplomat by Manpreet Sethi

A new arrangement for uranium exports from Canada to China raises some interesting questions. The two countries already have a nuclear cooperation agreement that dates back to 1994, so the new deal didn’t receive much international attention. However, it’s noteworthy that this agreement considerably relaxes the accountability rules for China’s use of Canadian uranium. The new deal relies on general assurances that all Canadian uranium will be used for appropriate civilian purposes, despite the fact that Canada usually requires more detailed accounting for its uranium. Indeed, Canada severely criticized Australia when Canberra made a similar deal with China in 2008. But, it’s a sign of hard pressed economic times that Canada’s nuclear industry could convince the government to relax its accountability rules for China. Canada’s nuclear cooperation agreement with China is indicative of the fact that the country is adopting a more pragmatic approach to nuclear sales than was possible under its ... Read More...