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Toward a Positive Agenda for Policies Supporting Inclusive Technology Transfer in Trade Agreements

Keith E. Maskus


Abstract

Finding means of increasing international technology transfers and deploying that information in ways that improve local development and policy prospects, both within and across countries, remains an important element of global policy. This paper sets out a series of ideas on how to achieve this objective, starting from the observation that relying primarily on existing trade agreements, including the WTO and TRIPS, is unlikely to achieve much regarding social policy and inclusion. The ideas put forward range from relaxing and clarifying the rules in the SCM on permissible R&D subsidies, through modifications of patent systems as regards transfer of environmental technologies, to the broader concept of a Treaty on Access to Basic Science and Technology. While these proposals may not be feasible in today’s global political environment, facilitating technology and knowledge transfers in order to meet key international and domestic public needs remains critical. Such ideas therefore deserve both public conversation and further analysis.