Would you buy a nuclear reactor from Mexico?

Or, now, from Canada? I have argued that one of the great disadvantages Canada faces is the lack of iconic companies linked in international perceptions to technology--or, indeed, anything. The point of the title is that, even if Mexico had a great nuclear reactor design, it would have a very hard time selling it abroad given that no-one thinks of Mexico as a country capable of independently producing high technology.

I think Canada has for a long time faced the same problem, though on a lesser scale--if people can't identify your country with technology it's that much harder to get your foot in the door and be taken seriously. The collapse of AECL's medical isotope-producing Maple reactors project can only severely hurt our industrial image overall--plus putting paid to any hopes of selling new generation CANDUs abroad.

And will Ontario buy the new CANDUs, likely foolishly, out of simple economic nationalism (and provincialism)?

Mark C.

Damian adds: I flew between Halifax and Chicago last week on commuter jets made in Brazil, so anything's possible.

Posted by markc at May 19, 2008 10:53 PM