Technology denial
Also called: Technology denial regime · Topic: International Trade Policy, WTO and Intellectual Property · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Technology denial is when countries that hold sensitive technology refuse to supply it to other states. This is often done through export controls on dual-use goods (items with both civilian and military uses). The aim is to slow a rival's military, strategic or industrial progress. This can push the denied country to build the technology itself.
Example
In 1992–93, US pressure on Russia blocked the transfer of cryogenic rocket-engine technology to India. India was also hit by sanctions after Pokhran-II in 1998. Since October 2022, US controls on advanced chips and chip-making tools have aimed to deny China cutting-edge semiconductors.
Don't confuse with
- Export controls: these are the general legal tool that restricts exports of sensitive goods. India itself runs one, the SCOMET list, and it is a member of the MTCR (2016), Wassenaar (2017) and the Australia Group (2018). Technology denial is the strategic use of such controls to keep a technology away from particular states.
Related concepts
- Weaponisation of trade
- Economic coercion
- Economic sanctions
- Secondary sanctions
- Export controls
- Dual-use goods
- Security exception
- Trade war
- Retaliatory tariff
- Reciprocal tariff