New Strains in the U.S.-China-Taiwan Strategic Triangle

[longriver]

The triangular security relationship between the United States, China and Taiwan is under strain again. The January 29 announcement of the $6.4 billion U.S. arms sales package to Taiwan marks a low point, but no major change in direction, for a U.S.-China relationship that began a downward spiral months ago. While not likely to cause bilateral relations to nosedive, the arms package does add another dip to a recently bumpy ride attributable to a host of issues ranging from Copenhagen 2009, the Iranian nuclear impasse to the Google debacle. What the analytical tendency toward political factors tends to overlook, however, is the tectonics of the economic reshaping of the U.S.-China-Taiwan strategic triangle over recent years, trends accelerated sharply by the conditions of the global recession throughout 2009. Nothing makes the salience of these economic factors clearer than the elements of carefully calibrated outrage, which Beijing has voiced over Obama’s arms package to Taiwan. An overview of the economic underpinnings of each leg of the U.S.-China-Taiwan relationship reveals the recession-accentuated sources of strain in this strategic triangle.

full article:

New Strains in the U.S.-China-Taiwan Strategic Triangle

Do you guys think that Taiwan will play a crucial role in this year's US-China relation?

[Tantal]

Taiwan is screwed. Eventually, Red China is going to jump on them. They will then offer to either buy more of our debt or forgive some of our current debt in exchange for "sitting this one out." China didn't buy up all that debt for altruistic purposes. They're eventually going to use it as leverage against us. But, what the hell? As long as the American sheeple get some free stuff, who cares if a million or so Taiwanese have to die?

[DC]

Exactly, I hardly see Obama coming to Taiwan's aid anytime soon. He'd much rather use words to facilitate a 'peaceful' 'unification' of the two. Basically condoning a bloody invasion of what is all but a sovereign country.