US Considers China Sanctions to Support Taiwan

Image copyright: Doug Mills/NYT [via The New York TImes]

The Facts

  • It was reported Wednesday that the US is considering a possible sanctions package against China to deter the PRC from a prospective invasion of Taiwan. The EU, meanwhile, is said to be under lobbying pressure from Taipei to do the same.

  • The efforts by the US to support Taiwan are said to be in the early stages, with deliberations reportedly aimed at expanding existing Western sanctions to include trade in sensitive technologies such as computer chips and telecom equipment.


The Spin

Anti-China narrative

The more economically potent Beijing becomes, the greater the threat to Taiwan. The PRC doesn't believe in democratic values, and actively works against the established international order. Applying sanctions to curtail technology that threatens Taipei is prudent.

Pro-China narrative

As was the case earlier with prospective US sanctions over Hong Kong, this is nothing more than empty bluff and bluster from Washington. Instead of pursuing harmful policies that would hurt Sino-American relations, the US should honor its agreement under the "One China" policy, and work with Beijing on a more constructive, less hegemonic approach toward the world order.


Go Deeper


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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