I'm deep inside a multi-level make system for buildroot. In one file a file is checked for existence -- it doesn't, but it needs to be. So, the make subsystem attempts to generate this file -- it fails. I know where the file is and where it needs to go, but I need to use the variables that make is using. Is there a way (in the sub-make file) that I can generate the environmental variable that are used in this file?

I attempted:
env
but I think maybe I need to attempt $(shell env) -- will this work? -- don't just say "Try it" as it takes (after the FIRST build) about 1.5 hours to get to this command. -- "Makes" for a very long day.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions,
Kennedy