Taiwan says EU plans to lift China arms ban is money over principles

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian had harsh words for the European Union’s proposal to lift the arms ban on mainland China. In a videoconference with MEPs he accused the EU of currying favour with Beijing fearing it might lose the lucrative Chinese market.

“In the future before others criticise Taiwan they should really try to understand what is truly going on,” the President said. “They can't just issue strong criticism because they have vested interests in China and . . . have decided to embrace china for personal gains or political gains.”

Taiwan says EU plans to lift China arms ban is money over principles


Question?
Why is that the EU decided to lift the arms ban against China?
Though I find this article to be filled with some rhetoric, perhaps, when considering 'why', Taiwan has a point or two.

We know that the economic situation in Europe, despite the over-inflated Euro, is sparse, at best. High unemployment in Germany and France, etc.
Other failing economic indicators, though mixed with slight positives.

Was the decision based on economic necessity or political goodwill, again aimed towards economic necessity? Or what?

Interesting, nonetheless.



seekerof

Originally posted by Seekerof
Question?
Why is that the EU decided to lift the arms ban against China?
Though I find this article to be filled with some rhetoric, perhaps, when considering 'why', Taiwan has a point or two.

We know that the economic situation in Europe, despite the over-inflated Euro, is sparse, at best. High unemployment in Germany and France, etc.
Other failing economic indicators, though mixed with slight positives.

I think the EU looks to China as a future market for thier goods. Its no coincidence that after Chirac and Germany's President made their "The arms embargo was wrong" tour through China that viola we see an order for A380's and French made locomotives.

The often touted advantages of the EU have become somewhat obscured by the fact that thier economic requirements for membership seem to float at the whim of major member countries. Combined with as you pointed out above high unemployment, lower productivity (35 hour work week), excessive subsidies given to "private" sector business aka The EU Deal (Airbus and others), high taxes to support generous government entitlement programs and you have a recipe for a quagmire. While the Euro is at record highs against the dollar, the Euro may begin to lose round at some point.

France sold weapons to Saddam up untill the eve of Desert Storm II so I have no doubt that at some point, embargo or not they will simply begin doing so again.

The economic benefits for the EU will not come from weapon sales. As frictions between the US and China grow (as it well, during the Bush years, the question is how much), the EU will seek to reek the benefits through commericial enterprises like Airbus and High speed trains.

BUT, and its a big but. China will not risk alienating the US so much that it has nothing to lose over supporting Taiwan, eg. China will continue to buy Boeing 787's.

China will create the opportunities to use the alternate (EU) markets but whether it does so will largely be determined by US actions and rhetoric.