Rules-of-trade for international nuclear commerce

William R. Harris

ResearchPublished 1978

The rules-of-trade are those treaties, laws, agreements, and regulations pertaining to international transfers of nuclear material, equipment, technology, or personnel. They are needed to assure that international commerce in nuclear energy will not facilitate the manufacture of nuclear weapons. In this paper, the author argues that the rules are ineffective; to be enforceable they should be associated with institutions that offer tangible benefits through compliance. One enforcement problem is learning who is responsible for violations; part of the solution may involve "tagging" fuel at key phases of the nuclear fuel cycle. Flexibility mechanisms need to be established for reforming the rules-of-trade so they can serve energy and anti-proliferation policies in the future. By linking the central rules-of-trade with more attractive institutions (for fuel assurances and financial assistance), and by providing within these rules mechanisms for changes without unanimous consent, the system of rules can be effectively extended in scope and time.

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  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 1978
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 9
  • Paperback Price: $20.00
  • Document Number: P-6216

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RAND Style Manual
Harris, William R., Rules-of-trade for international nuclear commerce, RAND Corporation, P-6216, 1978. As of September 13, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P6216.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Harris, William R., Rules-of-trade for international nuclear commerce. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1978. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P6216.html. Also available in print form.
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