Back in mid-August, it was reported that the Obama Administration was considering denying Taiwan’s request for new F-16C/D fighter jets out of political pressure from Communist China. At the time I pointed out that denying Taiwan’s request could be direct evidence of our national security coming under direct threat as a result of our dependence on China’s willingness to gobble-up U.S. debt.
Well, we don’t have to speak hypothetically anymore, as Bill Gertz of The Washington Times reports, “The president decided against selling Taiwan 66 advanced F-16 C/D model aircraft, despite several requests from Taipei and Congress.”
So why did Obama decide against selling these advanced fighter jets to Taiwan? Money, money, money… borrowed money that is.
“China’s U.S. debt holdings also likely influenced the decision. In February 2010, Chinese military leaders called for punishing the United States for arms sales to Taiwan by calling in some of the $1.1 trillion in China’s Treasury debt holdings.” (Bill Gertz, “Obama Agrees To Sell Arms To Taiwan,” The Washington Times, 9/15/11)
But how does denying Taiwan new jets imperil our national security exactly? We’ve made a promise to Taiwan to aid their defenses and defend Taiwan from an attack by China.
“U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are guided by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which calls for the United States to provide defense weaponry to Taiwan and prevent the forcible reunification of the island by China.” (Bill Gertz, “Obama Agrees To Sell Arms To Taiwan,” The Washington Times, 9/15/11)
Leaving Taiwan with military defenses that put the island at a disadvantage to China makes our commitment to defend the island all the more dangerous for our own armed forces.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you needed another reason to curtail our government’s borrow and spend practices, look no further than the gathering danger in the Pacific.
