The U.S. is selling billions of dollars worth of arms to Taiwan and China is not happy about it. Why is the U.S. endangering an important trade and diplomatic relationship with one of the emerging great powers of the 21st Century? The answers date back to the Chinese civil war and the passions of the Cold War. I know people who remain passionate about Taiwan and consider it a matter of U.S. national honor that we keep our commitment to the independence of Taiwan. After all, Taiwan has been a loyal ally and trade partner for many years. I also know others of my generation who see Taiwan as a poor sport, they lost their civil war, they need to get over it and get with the one-China program. Regardless of the passions (or lack thereof) on this issue, the real guiding factor here is an act of Congress which provided the legal basis of the U.S. relationship with Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 obligates the U.S. to provide weapons for the defense of Taiwan, it does not obligate the U.S. to actively defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. That distinction and the strategic ambiguity over the question of whether the U.S. really would sit out a China-Taiwan conflict keeps everyone guessing, and that provides enough of a deterrent to keep both sides in line…so far. Would you support the use of American military forces to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack? The president we elect in November may have to answer this question.
