On July 12, the Chinese Foreign Ministry once again imposed sanctions on 6 American defense companies and 5 senior executives under the guise of selling weapons to Taiwan. Experts believe that the symbolic significance of these so-called “sanctions” outweighs their actual effectiveness. The long-standing US policy of “arms sales to Taiwan” will not be deterred by China’s sanctions, but rather it will accelerate the US’s support for Taiwan.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry website, the newly announced sanctions target 6 US defense companies and 5 senior executives for their recent arms sales to Taiwan, violating what China refers to as the “One China principle” and the three joint Sino-US communiqués. The sanctioned companies include Anduril Industries, Maritime Tactical Systems, Pacific Defense Solutions, AEVEX Aerospace, LKD Aerospace, and Peak Technology Corporation. The sanctioned executives include the chairman, CEO, and president of AeroVironment, the senior vice president and CFO of AeroVironment, the CEO of Anduril Industries, the COO of Anduril Industries, and the senior vice president of global defense at Anduril Industries.
The sanctions measures involve freezing the companies’ assets in China, prohibiting transactions and cooperation activities, and denying entry into China (including Hong Kong and Macau) for the sanctioned individuals.
On the same day, the US State Department issued a statement imposing visa restrictions on Chinese officials involved in religious and human rights oppression, in response to Beijing’s sanctions on American companies, citing human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet. These reciprocal actions reflect the escalating tensions between the US and China.
In response to China’s sanctions, experts from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense and the Institute for National Defense and Security Studies believe that the impact on the current US-China confrontation is minimal. The majority of America’s defense industry assets in China are limited, making the symbolic significance of these sanctions more significant than their practical effects.
Dr. Zhong Zhidong from the research institute stated that China’s primary hope is to deter American defense companies from continuing arms sales to Taiwan, but the actual deterrence effect is limited. This is not the first time China has imposed such sanctions, as they did so in May, targeting 12 American defense companies and 10 senior executives. However, these actions have not deterred these companies from selling weapons to Taiwan.
In a meeting held early last month, nearly 30 American defense companies interacted with Taiwanese counterparts. The US-Taiwan Defense Industry Forum on June 6 in Taipei saw representatives from companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and BAE Systems discussing defense cooperation. The robust ties between the US defense industry and Taiwan remain intact despite Chinese sanctions.
The US Department of Defense’s approval of approximately $360 million in arms sales to Taiwan and the Biden administration’s continued commitment to such sales underscore America’s longstanding policy in supporting Taiwan’s defense capabilities. This policy has been in place for decades and plays a vital role in strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense.
Experts agree that the ongoing deterioration of US-China relations suggests irreversibility. China’s sanctions aim to emphasize its stance but may inadvertently push the US government towards further supporting Taiwan’s defense needs, leading to bolder decisions in the future.
The intensified maneuvers by China in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and East China Sea have drawn close attention from the US and its allies. China’s confrontational tactics, including the recent detainment of Taiwanese fishing vessels, have raised concerns and prompted the US to issue warnings against Chinese aggression.
President Biden’s recent statements and interviews reaffirm America’s commitment to Taiwan’s security amidst growing Chinese threats. The US has pledged to defend Taiwan if China attempts to alter the status quo forcefully. The US government’s support for Taiwan remains unwavering, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming presidential elections.
In conclusion, China’s sanctions are unlikely to achieve their intended deterrence effect and may, in fact, strengthen the resolve of the US government to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities. The escalating US-China confrontation is increasingly solidifying support for Taiwan’s security, fostering closer collaboration between the US, Japan, and Taiwan, and presenting new challenges for the dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region.