via US Air Force

Taiwan’s congressional supporters are ramping up the pressure on the Obama administration to approve the sale of new F-16 fighterjet units to the island nation. The pressure notched up a level higher when one pro-sale senator vowed to delay the confirmation of a new deputy secretary of state if there is no movement on the F-16 sale. Taiwan’s congressional allies’ actions have provoked countermaneuvers from mainland Chinese officials. Chinese dignitaries have visited senators, Obama administration officials, former officials, and personnel form other institutions to voice their opposition to the proposed F-16 sale.

All this lobbying and counterlobbying has put the State Department in a tight position. They are looking for a way to address the pro-Taiwan Congressional forces without drawing the ire of China. Last year’s arms deal to Taiwan proves illustrative of the State Department’s diplomatic tightrope walking. Last year, the US sold $6.4 billion dollars worth of Patriot missiles, helicopters, mine sweepers, and communications gear. As a result, China broke off all military cooperation engagements and ties with the US. The current arms sale issue involves two trade proposals – upgrading the Taiwanese air force’s 145 older model F-16s and selling 66 newer and advanced F-16s to Taiwan. There’s a lot to juggle since this is a very lucrative trade deal for the US defense industry, there are internal political dynamics in Taiwan to address, and the diplomatic relationships of not just the US and China but also China and Taiwan are at stake.