Policy Paper for the President's National Security Advisor. Policy Implications: Sale of F-16s to Taiwan
Abstract
On September 2, 1992, President Bush announced his Administration's proposal to sell up to 150 F-16 fighters to Taiwan. Although the proposed sale was generally viewed as a means to win votes in the President's home state of Texas, the Congress eventually approved the sale. This Administration is now faced with the domestic and foreign policy implications of that decision. Domestically, the sale equates to jobs in the struggling aircraft industry, export sales to help lessen the U.S. trade deficit, and a means to maintain U.S. military aircraft production without U.S. defense expenditures. Although the sale's domestic consequences are resoundingly positive, it raises key questions for U.S.-China relations and Asian political stability. Specifically, does the sale abrogate long-standing agreements with the Chinese on arms sales to Taiwan? Will it adversely impact U.S.-China trade relations? Does it up the ante on an arms race between China and Taiwan and destabilize the region? Does the sale threaten U.S. initiatives to stop China's sale of ballistic missiles and other weapons to Third World countries? This paper examines these issues and recommends actions that best serve U.S. domestic and foreign policy interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA440762
Entities
People
- Robert L. Pelletier
Organizations
- National War College