Arms sales to Taiwan aggravate cross strait relations (2019). The US arms sale plan unveiled Monday is a dangerous move that will only aggravate the already complex and grim situation across the Taiwan Straits . The US government has approved a possible US$500 million military sale to Taiwan, claiming that the move will help to improve the security and defensive capability of the recipient. Subsequently, Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen expressed “gratitude,” saying that the arms sale was “timely.”
The US arms sales to Taiwan constitutes a serious violation of international law, the basic norms governing international relations, the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques and undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests The situation across the Taiwan Straits, which is already complicated and grim, is worsening as the United States has been using Taiwan to contain China while the Taiwan administration kept seeking foreign intervention .

Beijing says sales damaged relations (2019). Beijing has accused Washington of violating the one-China principle with its recent sale of a US$500 million military package to Taiwan, saying the act seriously hurt relations between the two countries and jeopardised stability in the Taiwan Strait. T he latest deal with Taipei, which includes a pilot training programme and maintenance/logistics support for F-16 aircraft in Arizona, is the third since US President Donald Trump approved arms sales to the island in 2017. It was announced by the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, part of the US Department of Defence, on April 15.

Even a trade deal won’t paper over the widening gap between Washington and Beijing (2019). Xi will be especially sensitive to what the Trump administration does next on Taiwan, including future arms sales to the island…The bottom line is the U.S.-China relationship remains brittle.

Impacts

The costs of containing China (2019). Most Americans take it for granted that the United States can and would go to war with China if it attacked Taiwan. But they may not realise what that would mean and how it might end. As China’s air and naval forces have grown, the United States has lost the capacity to secure a swift and sure victory in a conventional war with China in the Western Pacific. This means that, to a much greater degree than is commonly realised, US confidence in winning a war with China depends on nuclear forces. The United States would rely on the threat of using nuclear weapons first to make up for its inability to win a conventional war on its rival’s doorstep. The hope is that this threat would be enough to make China back off.But this threat is only credible if it is clear that China would not retaliate by launching nuclear attacks on the United States, or if it is clear that the United States is willing to accept such attacks in order to prevail. At present US policy assumes that China would not retaliate.

Con — Deterrence, Allied Credibility

Trade Deal or Not, the US must bolster Taiwan’s defense (2019). This article argues that the newly proposed arms sales must go through in order to for Taiwan to defend itself against China.

China is laying the groundwork for a war with Taiwan (2019). This article argues China is a threat to Taiwan.

Let China Complain: America should approve the new arms sales to Taiwan (6-9-19). This article argues the new sale is important to deter an air and missile attack against China.

Military spending is soaring in Asia and here’s why (6-6-19). This article argues that arms sales in Asia, including to Taiwan, integrate countries into the US military networks needed to deter China.

Taiwan can win a war with China (2018). This article says that as long as Taiwan can purchase US arms that it can deter an invasion by China. Are war clouds gathering in Asia? Will China make good on threats to invade Taiwan? What would this conflict mean for America and the world? Exposing internal Chinese military documents and restricted-access studies, The Chinese Invasion Threat explores the secret world of war planning and strategy, espionage and national security. From a historic spy case that saved Taiwan from communist takeover to modern day covert action programs, and from emergency alert procedures to underground coastal waterways.

Will China go to war over Taiwan? (2019). China may be reaching for the moon, but Xi’s speech was a reminder that its greatest territorial ambitions may lie much closer to home. Even if Beijing isn’t on the verge of attacking the island, his rhetoric raises the risk that there may eventually be outright war. In a world where the risk of conflict between major nations seems to ratchet higher every year, China’s desire to dominate Taiwan may yet be what lights the spark.

The Taiwan Threat and America’s Defense Strategy in Asia (2019). This book argues that strong-US Taiwan relations and arms sales are needed to deter China’s aggression not only against Taiwan but throughout the region.

US flags threat from PLA missiles (2019). This article says China needs Wsstern arms to deter China’s aggression.

Why the US must counter China’s efforts to isolate Taiwan (2019). This article says that the US must defend Taiwan to deter China and that if we aren’t perceived as being willing to defend them that our allies will seek security elsewhere, collapsing the global order.

US navy again sales through Taiwan Straits (2019). This says the US demonstrated a commitment to Taiwan by sailing through the Taiwan Strait.

Alignments in US and Taiwan foreign policy pressures from maximum pressure, universal values, to Venezuela (2019). Taiwan’s approach to Venezuela is just one of the many ways in which the island has been in lockstep with the United States on American foreign policy goals. Last year, the United States imposed new sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil, aiming to bring exports to zero. In November 2018, the Trump administration granted waivers to Taiwan and seven other countries, granting them more time to cut off oil purchases from Iran and shift to other suppliers. Over the intervening months, Taiwan was one of only three countries to successfully halt oil imports from Iran—unlike China, and even US treaty allies Japan, South Korea, and Turkey—thus contributing to the US maximum pressure campaign on Tehran.

Taiwan in dead center of China’s territorial ambitions (2018). In the end, we’re all in this together. Whether from the “blue” or “green” camp, the people of Taiwan, along with people from other nations in the Asia-Pacific, must learn to deal with a regime in Beijing that is dead set on altering the longstanding security architecture in the region and removing the security umbrella that has been in place since the end of World War II. For Taiwan, it would be to everyone’s advantage if they sought to meet this challenge together rather than perpetuate divisions that enfeeble the nation’s ability to stay afloat.

Tsai thanks US for continued arms sales (2019). This article says Taiwan supports strong relations with the US now.

Con– Democracy Promotion

Taiwan’s self-made democracy needs US help (2019). This article argues the US needs to maintain a strong commitment to Taiwan to protect its democracy and the credibility of democracy globally.

US arms sales to Taiwan are the right thing to do (2018). This article argues that US fighter jet sales are critical to Taiwan’s air defense.

Con — Solvency Turns

Thoughts on U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan (2014). My third point is to question the very premise of the PRC logic that created the linkage between U.S. arms sales, Taiwan’s willingness to negotiate, and whether China need to use force to fulfill its goals. Obviously, whether Taipei is willing to negotiate with Beijing is a function of its confidence that those negotiations won’t hurt Taiwan’s fundamental interests. Precisely because Beijing reserves the right to use force, the greater Taiwan’s ability to deter, the more confidence it will have to negotiate. And there is plenty of evidence that there is a weak correlation at best between U.S. arms sales and Taipei’s willingness to negotiate with Beijing. Just look at the last five years.

Con — Politics Links

House passes resolution reaffirming Taiwan relations (2019). With 414 votes in support of the TRA and no votes against, there was overwhelming support for closer ties with Taiwan.

House flags threat from PLA missiles (2019). (The House) also backed by a unanimous voice vote the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019, which supports Taiwan and urges it to increase its defence spending. It said Washington should conduct “regular transfers of defence articles to Taiwan consistent with Taiwan’s national security requirements” and support Taipei’s participation in international organisation

Con — Increased US-Taiwan Relations Counterplans

Taiwan’s national security is at-risk (5-7-19). This article says the US should engage in joint military exercises with Tiawan to increase deterrence pressure against China. There is also a Politics Link: Paradoxically, support for Taiwan is practically the only subject for which there is overwhelming and bipartisan congressional support. The Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) was in fact enacted in 1979 out of fear a President might sell out Taiwan.

Why Taipei is moving toward confrontation (2019). This article argues the US needs to strengthen its relationship with Taiwan to deter China.

Trump comes through with $1.2 billion sale (2017). China sees continued arms sales as a potential violation of this agreement. The United States, however, views such arms sales as an important part of its relations with Taiwan and its overall regional policy. “Taiwan’s defensive capability gives it the confidence to engage with the mainland in dialogue to improve cross-Strait relations,” said the official. The official cited the U.S. commitment to upholding the Taiwan Relations Act, the 1979 agreement that permits arms sales and provides a legal framework for unofficial relations with Taiwan after the United States broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan and established relations with mainland China

General

Book Review (2019). The Taiwan Invasion Threat: Taiwan’s Defense and America’s Strategy in Asia.

Taiwan Arms Sales — Aff Files, Neg Files, Bibliograpy

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