![]() What’s more, the United States could react to a successful invasion of Taiwan either by retreating into isolationism or by switching its attention from Ukraine to China. Europe would then find it harder to trade with a part of the world which could account for half of global economic output by 2030, according to World Economics. The People’s Republic could become the region’s hegemon. If China annexed Taiwan by force, other Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea would feel threatened. The best argument is that, ever since Xi declared a “no-limits” friendship with Putin just before the Ukraine war, Europe and Asia have become one vast continent in geostrategic terms. French President Emmanuel Macron, who warned last month against the European Union being drawn into a crisis over Taiwan by what he called "the American rhythm and a Chinese overreaction", will need the most persuading. The U.S.' allies in Asia need no convincing of the merits of a robust stance. It brings together the United States and its key allies in Europe and Asia, as well as guests including Australia and South Korea. ![]() The G7 summit is a good forum for the world’s large rich democracies to determine grand strategy. If not, the Chinese president may think he can exploit their divisions, just as Russian President Vladimir Putin wrongly concluded the West was too weak to prevent him grabbing Ukraine. If leaders speak with one voice, Xi Jinping may be reluctant to invade Taiwan. The best chance of steering between these twin evils is for the G7 to agree on a strong deterrence strategy. They don’t want Beijing to invade Taiwan but they also want to avoid war with the People’s Republic. Leaders of the Group of Seven rich countries meeting this month in Hiroshima may feel they are in a similar situation when it comes to China. GREECE, May 8 (Reuters Breakingviews) - At one point in Homer’s Odyssey, the hero has to steer his ship between twin dangers: Scylla, a multi-headed monster, and the whirlpool of Charybdis. ![]()
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