ABSTRACT
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the declaration of martial law in Poland, and the chilling of US-Soviet relations generally have prompted a widespread reassessment of East-West trade and technology transfer. The future course of East-West trade and technology transfer is difficult to predict. In order to centralize and strengthen US export control policies, some have proposed the creation of an Office of Strategic Trade, directly subordinate to the White House. The American business community seeks stability and consistency in export control policies and practices. Trade agreements such as the Long-Term Agreement have the effect of promoting trade, or at a minimum, limiting the impact of politically-motivated trade sanctions and embargoes. The chapter examines some of the factors that are likely to promote or retard East-West technology flows. The controversy over East-West trade has forced the discussion of this extraordinarily complex issue into the realm of public debate.
